Understand the results of your search
A database will usually respond to your search request by displaying
a list of citations.
(Search results screenshot from PsycINFO database)
From this list of citations, you may have a number of options:
The abstract is a brief summary of an article, book etc.
Reading the abstract will help you decide whether the article or
book is relevant to your needs.
The complete record or complete reference always
includes the citation. It may also include the abstract, subject
descriptors and other information relevant to the document.
Subject descriptors or subject headings are the
controlled vocabulary terms that describe the subject content of
the document.
These terms will also help you to decide whether the article or
book is relevant to your needs.
Using these terms in your keyword search will usually result in
more relevant search results. Most databases allow you to click
on a subject heading to perform a search using that subject heading.
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Exercise
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Select Library
home page
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Select Databases
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Navigate to PsycINFO
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Enter adolescents and depression and
war. Limit to Full Text and perform search and
display results
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Choose one citation from the list and select Complete
Reference
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Read the Abstract
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Explore the Subject Headings. Could any of these
terms assist you to achieve more specific search results?
If “yes” re-construct your search using the
new terms.
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