How to Find Psychology Sources for Research Papers

So now that you've chosen a topic for your research paper, it's time to find trustworthy, verifiable psychology sources to guide your explorations and support your claims—not always an easy or straightforward task. Follow these steps to find reputable psychological sources.

1. Find Basic Background Information

At this stage, you're mostly looking for introductory information, but many sources contain information on the sources they used.

For example, when reading any study or evaluation, note the sources cited in these readings so you can look into them further during the next phase of the research process.

2. Use Your Library

The next step is to visit your library in person or online. The basic background research from the previous step should have yielded hints on what to look for. If you get stuck, ask a librarian for assistance.

When you've located some books on your topic, browse through the references listed in each. Think of the bibliography in each book as a guide to possible sources.

3. Use Online Databases to Access Periodicals

PsycINFO, PsycNET, EBSCOhostOnline, and other relevant databases are typically available through your library or educational institution. If you're not sure how to access them or perform a search, seek assistance from a librarian.

4. Search for Online Sources

Check with your instructor about acceptable or preferred kinds of online sources. These might take the form of forums, blogs, informational websites, or articles from journals, newspapers, and magazines.

5. Critically Evaluate Each Source

Carefully investigate each source to determine if it's credible and appropriate for your paper. Note the authors, publisher, sponsors, and age of the information,

6. Create a Working Bibliography

Even if your instructor doesn't require a bibliography, It can be a very helpful tool. A bibliography is a list of all the sources you might use in your paper. For your personal use, briefly annotate each entry in your list with a description. As you outline your paper, refer back to your working bibliography for sources that back your arguments, analysis, and claims.

A Few More Tips for Finding Psychology Sources

In general:

1. Work from the broad to the specific—from general resources down to more specific references such as journal articles.
2. Keep track of where you got your information. Maintain careful notes or a working bibliography so you can cite each source in your paper properly.
3. Don't be afraid to ask a librarian for help. Many libraries offer assistance through social media, email, and chat, but you can call if you feel most comfortable doing so.

 A Word From Verywell

Although finding psychology sources for your papers can be challenging, breaking the process down into steps can make it a lot less daunting. Most importantly, don't be afraid to ask your instructor or library staff for help—it's what they do.