The efficacy of using comprehensive database search strategies in performing a literature retrieval is investigated. The DIALOG service was used with DIALINDEX subject category options as the major search vehicle. Databases from the DIALINDEX subject categories PSYCH (which includes PsycINFO) and MEDICINE were accessed with two sample searches. The results indicated that databases other than PsychINFO provided relevant citations. Overlap of citations among databases was negligible. The findings suggest that on-line literature retrieval involving psychological topics should include comprehensive database strategies. Several major commercial services offers such options.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
American Psychological Association. (1985). Thesaurus of psychological index terms (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
2.
BorchardtD.FrancisR. (1984). How to find out in psychology.New York: Pergamon.
3.
BrandA. A.KinzieL. A. (1984). A comparison of online access to psychoanalytic literature. DATABASE, 7, 54–63.
4.
BrodyF.LambertM. (1984). Alternative databases for anthropology searching. DATABASE, 7, 28–32.
5.
FeinbergR. A.DrewsD.EynmanD. (1981). Positive side effects of online information retrieval. Teaching of Psychology, 8, 51–52.
6.
GardnerL. E. (1977). A relatively painless method of introduction to the psychological literature search. Teaching of Psychology, 4, 89–91.
7.
HewesJ. J. (1983). DIALOG: The ultimate on-line library. PC World, 1, 74–88.
8.
ReedJ. G.BaxterP. M. (1983). Library use: A handbook for psychology.Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
9.
ShorthillR. R. (1985). Unexpected online sources for business information. Online, 9, 68–72.
10.
TakooshianH. (1984, August). Teaching library research: Manual versus computer retrieval methods. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto.
