Welcome to the subject guide for Psychology!
This page offers information about the various resources available at the Richard J. Daley Library such as article databases, reference materials, ebooks and multimedia sources.
In addition, the Richard J. Daley Library offers individual and group instruction on how to use library resources in this subject area. Speak with one of our reference librarians to assist you.
- When writing a research paper, start by choosing a topic.
- If you're really stuck on a topic, make use of the Tutoring Center at Daley College. The tutors there can help with brainstorming ideas.
- Once you have a question in mind, find keywords related to the question. For example, if your question is “What psychological effect does poverty have on children?” You might choose:
“poverty”
“children”
“psychological effects”
- Expand your search terms by considering synonyms. You can search for similar words by searching for your terms in a thesaurus. You might choose to add “youth,” "economic hardship," and “consequences” to your list of synonyms. If your search term is more than one word, place quotation marks around it to make sure you get the results you want.
- Now use these keywords and phrases when searching databases for relevant articles.
- Choose articles that are appropriate for your project, academic, and trustworthy (hint: they'll have citations). Watch this short video for help evaluating sources. Avoid sites like Wikipedia.
Not sure if a source is credible?
Watch this short video on how to use the CRAAP tool as a guide to evaluate your sources.
If you get stuck, ask a librarian! We are trained to help with research and citations.
Stop by the reference desk at Daley College or call the reference desk at 773-838-7669.
Using general reference materials as a starting point.
In order to define terms and decide what interests you, an eEncyclopedia can be helpful.
Search the Gale Virtual Reference Collection:
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Search Funk & Wagnals New World Encyclopedia:
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NOTE: Remote access to the following databases is exclusive to City Colleges of Chicago students, faculty and staff.
To access off campus, log-in with your MyCCC username and password.
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The library at Daley College has hundreds of Psychology books that can help in your research.
Search the Daley Library Catalog!
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- Enter your keywords into the search fields.
- Search by a specific book title or author.
- Choose "more search options" below for the advanced search.
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Search Tips:
- Use the search options to your advantage! If you are searching for synonyms like "children" and "youth," change the drop down from "AND" to "OR." This way you will get results that include EITHER term.
- Choose books available only at Daley College or broaden your search to “Any” in the location section.
- If books are located at another library, place a request for Interlibrary Loan by contacting a Daley College Librarian at 773-838-7669. We will contact you when your book arrives. Please allow time for delivery.
Psychology titles can be found under a number of classifications such as:
BF Psychology
H Social Sciences
L Education
RC Psychiatry.
Like eBooks? Try out an Ebsco eBook!
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Useful Databases for Psychology Research:
- Springer Ebooks
- This option has a wide selection of Psychology ebooks for reference and research.
For a complete listing of databases available to City Colleges students, go to: Daley College Databases.
Tips for efficient searches:
- use "advanced search” option so you can enter several search terms at the same time
- limit results to full text so you will be able to read and cite the articles you find
- specify article length, and publication date to meet the needs of your assignment. For example, if your instructor prefers articles over 5 pages, don't waste your time sorting through articles that are only 1 page. Limit your results!
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Free Online Psychology Videos and Video Clips
- Found on the Rice University Website Connexions, which "is an environment for collaboratively developing, freely sharing, and rapidly publishing scholarly content on the Web." The site provides "online videos and video clips related to the field of psychology. These can be used for online classes, hybrids, in class, or for outside assignments."
SMART Image Database
- This database provides colorful diagrams to help understand the brain and related systems.
PBS Videos on Psychology Topics
- A website with short video clips produced by a Harvard Psychology Professor
* Remember to cite multimedia sources in your works cited page!
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Gateway Resources
The Internet’s largest and oldest independent mental health social network. Since 1995, it has been run by mental health professionals offering reliable, trusted information and over 200 support groups to consumers.
Professional Organizations
The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the world's largest psychiatric organization. It is a medical specialty society representing growing membership of more than 35,000 psychiatrists. Its member physicians work together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental disorders, including intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders. APA is the voice and conscience of modern psychiatry.
- Association for Psychological Science
The Association's mission is to promote, protect, and advance the interests of scientifically oriented psychology in research, application, teaching, and the improvement of human welfare.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website provides information from the Federal agency that conducts and supports research on mental illnesses.
- Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
SPSSI an association of approximately 3000 psychologists, allied scientists, and others, who are interested in the application of research on the psychological aspects of important social issues to public policy solutions.
Psychology news
Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody's favorite subject: ourselves. Founded in 1967, Psychology Today covers all aspects of human behavior and mental health, from the workings of the mind to the bonds between people and the larger cultural forces that drive our most intimate decisions. Psychology Today has leading academics, clinicians and authors giving ideas in over 750 blogs or topic streams.
- Science Daily: Psychology
This award-winning website provides research articles, images, encyclopedia entries, book reviews, and videos on a variety of science topics.
Psychology Careers
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Things to remember:
- Every research paper must have in-text citations and a works cited page to show the sources you used in your research!
- Identify the type of citation you need. Some professors will tell you what style they prefer.
- As you conduct research, create citations in your works cited section or bibliography.
- When you quote, paraphrase, or reference an idea you read in someone else's work, place an in-text citation at the end of your sentence.
These websites can help you create the citations needed:
APA Format
MLA Format
Chicago Style Format
You can also use EasyBib to create a works cited page in MLA format.
Need further guidance? Check the Purdue Online Writing Lab for additional help. Check out Purdue OWL's guide on writing psychology reports.
If you need help creating your citations, feel free to stop by the reference desk and ask a librarian or call the reference desk at 773-838-7669.
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