Skip to Main Content

Psychology: Home

Getting Started


Following the six step Information Search Process (ISP) will save time and keep you organized through all phases of any research assignment.

  Understand the Assignment: Understand the specifics including length of paper, topic options/instructions, citation style and resources permitted before beginning topic selection, research or any other part of the assignment.
  Select a Topic: Think about what the assignment guidelines are and choose something that is interesting to you.
  Explore your Topic: Take your topic and narrow it down to what you want to focus on, normally a few main points.
  Develop a Thesis/Specific Purpose Statement: Decide your objective so you can inform the readers what you will discuss.
  Research: Work within the assignment guidelines to decide on appropriate resources. Keep track of your citations as you go.
  Write: Using your research and critical thinking skills, write your paper.
Library Cards

Use your library card to borrow items and for off-campus access to eResources.

.

 

 

 

.

Subject Specific eResources
Start Your Research
 
Search for items available through the CCC Library
Search the college's eBook collections

Citations

Citation generator to help with your works cited/reference page.

You will need to create your own account (see the NoodleTools Tutorial for assistance).

An active library card is required to access NoodleTools from off-campus.

For citation help, check out the Citation Help page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

 

 

Primary vs. Secondary Sources Quick Check

Characteristics of Primary Sources/Research Articles

  • Presents original data and ideas from a scientific investigation including the results of experiments, observations and other scientific investigations
  • Reported by scientists and written for others in the field and published in scientific journals (usually peer-reviewed)
  • Most primary articles have at least some of these headings - method/materials, experimental procedure, results, discussion/data interpretation

Characteristics of Secondary Sources/Review Articles

  • Describes, interprets, analyzes and evaluates the original research as well as comments on and discusses the evidence provided by primary sources

  • Written for a scientific audience or for a non-scientific audience by experts (scientists) or general writers
  • Published in science magazines and may be published in some science journals