Psychology: A Selective Interdisciplinary Guide

Perry, Larry Stephen

doi:10.1108/eb048787

Cited by 1 publication

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“…The relative inaccessibility of this literature to psychologists may be responsible for the limited use of computer potential. Perry (1983) described the various databases for psychology in detail.…”

Section: Available Databasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macroconceptual analysis of psychological literature: Online computer search systems.

Perry¹,

Dana²

1985

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

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parts of a literature to be located, indicates changes over time in frequency and content of citations, and is able to characterize and organize an entire body of literature. This article describes and illustrates the PsycINFO database and other databases, provides a bibliography of major references, indicates the utility of cross-database searching, and suggests the feasibility of online document retrieval. Some assets and liabilities of macroconceptual analysis of psychological literature are included.Immediate access to detailed information on psychological literature has been available by online computer searching since the mid-1970s, although only a few fragmentary descriptions are accessible to psychologist consumers (e.g., Black, 1983;Burrows & Kyle, 1979;Sandy, 1982; Turner, 1983). The databases are machine-readable electronic files that are computerized versions of already existing printed indexes and bibliographies, such as the Psychological Abstracts (PsycINFO). Online searching provides an interactive telecommunication link between researcher and computer system. The computer system stores computer readable data that are accessible by a structured protocol or retrieval system that use subject descriptors, keywords, and basic Boolean logic of AND, OR, NOT patterns of operators.A search can be continuously modified and refined in response to information as it is received. By keying into the computer a particular concept, the amount of research and specific titles and/or abstracts that have been generated on this concept can be immediately ascertained, and specific documents may be ordered online. Similarly, by keying in two or more concepts and requesting only the literature that deals with the intersection of the two concepts, the researcher can discover the extent of the literature. With the existence of PsycINFO, and similar databases, the process of information retrieval has been revolutionized.Macroconceptual analysis describes a bibliographical topography, aided by an online search, that permits a viewing of the literature in terms of parts, wholes, and the web of interrelationships. The computer has the capability, in the context of database searching, of being able to discern patterns or themes in the literature. For any given area of research it is feasible to generate reviews of extant literature, current status, future directions, reliability/validity domains, assessment devices, lists of experts, frequencies of author citations, research grants, and information concerning grantawarding agencies, including financial assets and interests. Computer searching allows researchers to begin constructing the key elements of a meaningful literature review.

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Section: Available Databasesmentioning

confidence: 99%