What’s New with APA PsycNET

On July 17, the APA PsycNET platform released a refreshed version that included a new look and feel, as well as a technology upgrade.

We hope this refresh has allowed you to continue your research seamlessly.

 

The features that you’re used to on APA PsycNET are still there, including:

  • Your personal My List, My PsycNET, alerts, and saved searches;
  • Thesaurus or Term Finder;
  • Cited References search;
  • An unchanged search algorithm;
  • The same records and full-text as before, with regular weekly updates.

 

We’ve also added some new tools to assist you, such as related content, a test lookup tool, and additional browse options.

 

If you would like more information about these new tools, please view our webinar on the APA PsycNET changes.

 

Or view the slides detailing APA PsycNET’s new additions.

Tutorial Thursday: Using PsycINFO Classification Codes on EBSCOhost

It’s Tutorial Thursday! In this series, we explore APA’s library of video tutorials available on the PsycINFO® YouTube channel and the APA Style CENTRAL® YouTube channel. Please feel free to link to or embed our videos in your library websites or LibGuides, course management systems, or other locations where students, faculty, and researchers will find them.

We recently updated one of our tutorials: Using Classification Codes in PsycINFO on EBSCOhost.

Screenshot of tutorial title screen for Using Classification Codes in PsycINFO (EBSCOhost)

For a more powerful and precise search, you can include PsycINFO Classification Codes in your query. Searching all fields or the “Keywords” field in a database is an easy way to start your research, but using these numerical codes from the APA Thesaurus will help you retrieve the resources you need more quickly and effectively.

Classification Codes are assigned by APA indexers to categorize documents in the PsycINFO database according to the primary subject matter. They are especially helpful for targeting your results when a search term can mean different things in different contexts, or when you want to search broadly.

This three-minute video demonstrates how to use PsycINFO® Classification Codes when searching PsycINFO (and other APA databases) on the EBSCOhost platform, and includes:

  • Description and examples of PsycINFO Classification Codes;
  • Where to find the complete list of PsycINFO Classification Codes; and
  • How to apply these codes to narrow your search to the most relevant results on the EBSCOhost platform.

This tutorial is a great resource to link from a LibGuide or course module for any class working with APA Databases on EBSCOhost, and can be helpful in answering email or chat reference questions.

The previous version of this tutorial will remain available, but if you have embedded or linked to it anywhere, we encourage you to update your materials to link to this new version.

Related Resources:

Webinar Alert: PsycINFO Sessions for Students & Faculty – August 9-11, 2017

Our next series of PsycINFO® webinars for students and faculty will run on August 9, 10, and 11 from 11 – 11:30 a.m. EDT. The sessions may be attended separately, but we encourage those who are interested to take all three, so we offer them on consecutive days:

We will provide information relevant to all search platforms including APA PsycNET®, EBSCOhost, Ovid, and ProQuest. The platform demonstrated will be based on the needs of the attendees of each session. For more information on this series, including full descriptions, please visit our database webinar training web page.

These webinars are an ideal way for students to get a refresher on PsycINFO if they have had a previous training session. Please help us spread the word to interested students and faculty!

Webinar Alert: Tour the New APA PsycNET Interface

Please join us for a brief tour of the redesigned APA PsycNET® platform, which will launch in mid-July!

This 30-minute webinar will highlight the contemporary new “look and feel” of the APA PsycNET search platform and other changes. Highlights include:

  • Technology upgrade: A new cloud-based environment and other behind-the-scenes infrastructure improvements for enhanced system performance, reliability, and search precision
  • Responsive design: Improved content rendering and functionality across all devices, including mobile
  • Content discovery: Addition of a new “Related Content” section providing links to up to 25 similar items, and options to explore trending topics
  • Search tools: Addition of the “Test Lookup” tool, enhanced access to the integrated APA Thesaurus, and platform-wide access to your recent searches

This overview is intended for anyone who uses APA PsycNET through an institutional or personal subscription, including librarians, students, researchers, and professionals.

Register for a session using one of the links below (Note: All times are Eastern Daylight Time / UTC-4):

For more information about using APA PsycNET, see our YouTube playlist of APA Databases on APA PsycNET.

Tutorial Thursday – Using the APA Thesaurus When Searching PsycINFO

It’s Tutorial Thursday! In this series, we explore APA’s library of video tutorials available on the PsycINFO YouTube channel and the APA Style CENTRAL® YouTube channel. Please feel free to link to or embed our videos in your library websites or LibGuides, course management systems, or other locations where students, faculty, and researchers will find them.

Searching “All fields” or “keywords” in a database such as PsycINFO® is a simple way to get started with research. Using the indexed subject headings found in APA’s Thesaurus is a more effective way to hone in on the resources you need.

A new version of the tutorial for using the APA Thesaurus on ProQuest is now available. This three minute video has demo searches that show how using the Thesaurus’ subject headings helps you research PsycINFO with depth and efficiency.

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