Finding empirical studies is simple using RIT Library's databases! PsycArticles and PsycINFO allow you to narrow your results to empirical studies before you click "Search." The steps outlined below apply to both: An empirical study is one that includes scientific methodology based on experimentation, systematic observation, or measurement, rather than theoretical formulation.
- switch from basic search to advanced search
- look below the search bars for your available filters/limiters
- go to the "Methodology" set of options
- click on "Empirical"
- Now begin your search
A Couple Quick Tips:
- Use quotations to group two or more words into a single entity for the search software. Otherwise, the search software not only looks for the phrase but for each individual word, too:
- such as "multiple personality disorder"
- Use an asterisk as "wildcard" for a word ending. This tells the search software to look for all the possible words that could be written after the asterisk:
- such as addict* will tell the search software to look for addict, addicted, addictive, addictions, addicts, addicting...
- Use keywords and phrases; never use sentences or as a question
- Use more of your filters for choosing a date range, FULL TEXT, scholarly/peer-reviewed articles, geography (region/country), language, etc.
- Grab the citation in the format you need. You may have to correct it for complete accuracy, but at least you'll have a start.
- Save the link or download and save the article. Trying to find something awesome after the fact can be brutal
- Did you know you can search these 2 databases at the same time? They are both in Proquest, so you can check off the databases you want to use for your search. Go to the Select Databases link within Proquest.
