Contact the Librarian at your campus for more help!
University Park / World Campus:
Ellysa Cahoy
(ellysa@psu.edu or 814-865-9696)
Harrisburg / World Campus:
Bernadette Lear
(BAL19@psu.edu or 717-948-6360)
Adult Education Search Tips
Use each database's thesaurus or subject headings list to identify the best wording for your topic. For example, ERIC uses:
- Electronic Learning (NOT "online learning")
- Labor Force Development (NOT "workforce education")
- Postsecondary Education (NOT "tertiary education")
Need to find empirical articles? Below is a guide that tells you what they are and how to find them:
Using ProQuest Databases (including ERIC and PsycINFO)
- ERIC: AboutProQuest's detailed guide to using ERIC. Includes explanations, tips, and videos.
- APA PsycINFO: AboutProQuest's detailed guide to using PsycINFO. Includes explanations, tips, and videos.
- Social Science Training MaterialsA gateway to resources for using ProQuest's Social Sciences databases.
- ProQuest VideoProQuest's YouTube channel. Includes videos about its products, and about database research in general.
Using EBSCO databases (including Business Source Premier)
- EBSCO Product HelpA gateway to resources for using EBSCO databases.
- EBSCO Tutorials (on YouTube)EBSCO's playlist of database tutorials.
Using Penn State and General Search Tools
- LionSearch TutorialsHow to use LionSearch, Penn State's federated search engine, which enables you to tap the library catalog and most journal databases simultaneously.
- Online Students Use of the LibraryAlthough this guide is intended for Penn State World Campus students, it's a helpful orientation for anyone who is doing most of their research off-campus.
- How to GuidesPenn State's library tutorials. They cover a wide variety of research-related skills.
- Google Scholar Search TipsAdvice for using Google's search engine for journal articles.
- JSTOR Support > StudentsJSTOR's student page is helpful for any user.
- JSTOR on YouTubeVideos from JSTOR's support team.