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PSY 401 Psychology Senior Thesis: Thesis Tips

Savvy Research Tips for Your Thesis Paper

  • Collect and record your search terms, as well as databases consulted
  • Keep careful notes on your search process; you will use this in the methods section of your thesis
  • Use subject headings, suggested topics, descriptors, depending on which database you are using
  • Use the thesaurus in PsycArticles and PsycInfo
  • Add to your vocabulary as you read more deeply on your topic
  • Note common topics and themes as you read
  • As you gather articles, group them by theme
  • Think about the social, cultural, historical, economic factors of your topic and how it fits into a broader context
  • Read widely and be curious

Other Ways to Extend the Reach of Your Search

  • References in your articles or in a dissertation that you've found
  • "Cited by"
    • Use Google Scholar to find an article you already have, then check the "cited by" link for more articles.
  • Author's other work
  • Associations/Government Organizations that address your topic
    • Do a [site: .org, .gov .edu ] search on Google
  • ASK A LIBRARIAN!

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On Writing

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Menlo's Writing Center is a place you should visit more than once in your writing process. Be aware that appointments toward the end of the semester get filled very quickly.