University-level libraries offer a wide variety of topical and subject specific reference collections. Many of the entries for terminology, key concepts and topics, people, ...etc. in these works include multi-page essays and bibliographies. Make sure to take full advantage of these collections, both in print and online.
Types of reference works include:
Use the names of reference types in keyword searches to find the sections of Case Libraries reference collection that address your topic.
If the reference source is not available electronically, make sure to note the call number and location of the print reference source in the catalog entry. It will be one of these three designations:
Strategy 1 - Consult reference materials
Strategy 2 - Gather keywords, terminology and concepts
from citations and abstracts
Strategy 3 - Focus your research
Strategy 4 - Look for key authors/researchers in the field
Strategy 5 - Consult recent literature reviews in the field
Topic mapping can be a great tool to help you organize your thoughts and generate important keywords for your topic.
For an introduction to topic mapping, watch this three-minute UCLA Library video.
The great thing about topic maps is that you can create one using paper and pen/pencil. You can also sketch icons and use a variety of colors and arrows to be even more creative. For more background, an online search for "Concept Map" or "Mind Map" will turn up many examples you can browse through to get a sense of what may work best for you.
Steps to create your own map:
Encyclopedia of Industrial and Organizational Psychology by 
APA Dictionary of Clinical Psychology by 
Ethical Issues in Psychology by 
The Blackwell encyclopedia of social psychology [electronic resource] by 
Additional Psychological Encyclopedias
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Truncation is represented by an asterisk (*). To use truncation, enter the root of a search term and replace the ending with an asterisk, and EBSCOhost will search for all variations of that word.
For example, type comput* to find the words computer or computing.
Phrase Searching can be a useful way of narrowing searches to more relevant results by having the database search for an exact phrase, instead of a set of terms that appear in the same record but may not be situated together.
For example, searching the phrase "social psychology", using quotation marks, will return only those database records which contain this exact phrase.
