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Searching Tips & Strategies

Easy steps to search like a pro. Learn these and safe yourself time and energy--and get better results!

Illustration of Database Guidance

For the following keyword search in the database PsycInfo, social media AND identity:

 

First search box has social media. AND second search box identity.

 

below on the left is the database's controlled vocabulary and limits, where you can narrow your results, or use the terms to start a new search.

Results from search, with limit on the left hand side with arrows pointing to: Limit to:, linked full text, references available, open access; Source types: Academic journals, dissertations, books, electronic collecitons, encyclopedias, show more; Subject Major heading: social media, social identity, social networks, mass media, ethnic idenity, online social networks; subject; publication

Screen continues from same search of above with more categories to limit by: Age: adulthood, young adulthood, adolescence, thirties, middle age, childhood; Gender: female, male; Classficiation: social processes & social issues, communication systems, mass media communications, social psychology, educational psychology ; Methodology: empirical study, quantitative study.