Doing a Literature Search

Useful Library Links

Most databases for literature searches are authenticated by ezproxy or Shibboleth. University staff and students will usually be able to login to these resources using their EASE username and password via the Library Catalogue or Library Online.
Registration for an EASE username and password is possible both on and off campus.

Searcher Allows search of clusters of databases in a single search rather than visiting all the sites separately. (EASE username and password authenticated.)
Web of Knowledge Includes various Social Sciences Citation Index & Arts and Humanities Citation Index.

PsycINFO Database containing citations, summaries and abstracts on Psychology and related subjects.
MEDLINE (Ovid) Good medical database covering psychiatry or clinical psychology subjects. Choose 'Institutional Login' then 'UK Access Management Federation' to reach EASE login page for this database.
PubMed Free service from the National Library of Medicine.

Philosopher's Index Contains citations, summaries and abstracts on Philosophy and related subjects.
ATLA Religion Database

Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts (LLBA)
MLA International Bibiliography
Note that these databases provide references and citations only, not full-text articles. Full-text online journals subscribed to by Edinburgh University are listed on the Library catalogue.

The Library Catalogue gives locations of print items and is the best way of accessing our online resources such as e-journals.
Other Library Catalogues
National Library of Scotland
SUNCAT Serials Union Catalogue for journals held by UK research libraries
SALSER for journals held in Scottish research libraries.

National Library of Scotland University staff and postgraduates may apply for a reader's ticket at the National Library of Scotland. Undergraduates may only use the National Library on a temporary basis if the items required are not held anywhere in the University Libraries. A form must be filled out, signed and stamped by an Edinburgh librarian to verify this and taken to the National Library with a University matriculation card. Forms are available from the Psychology & Philosophy and Main Libraries.
Other University Libraries have special arrangements for students who do not study at their institutions. Generally access is only allowed during the vacation, but there are often other arrangements. Details are available on University Library web pages. It is advisable to phone Libraries first to check on access rights.
Sconul Access (Formerly Sconul Plus and UK Libraries Plus). A co-operative scheme allowing staff and students access to participating libraries to use materials. Their web page lists member libraries with their contact details.

The Inter-Library Loan Service For items not in the Edinburgh University Library there is an inter-library loan service. Current cost £5. Requests are made online via the ILLiad system and you will be billed later with payment to be made through the University's E-Pay System. Undergraduates making very large numbers of requests may be asked to obtain a supporting letter from an academic supervisor to use this service. (Warning: interlibrary loans normally take about 10 to 14 days to arrive so do not leave it too late, although there is an express service).

The following books may be of use to students doing literature reviews and are held in the the Psychology & Philosophy Library reserve section.

Sternberg, R J (2003) The Psychologist's Companion. Cambridge, CUP.
Ridley, D (2008) The Literature review : a step by step guide for students
Hart, Chris (1998) Doing a literature review : releasing the social science research imagination. London, Sage.
Bell, Judith (2005) Doing your research project. Buckingham, Open University Press.
Forshaw, M (2004) Your Undergraduate psychology reseach project : a BPS guide
APA (2009) Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. Washington D C, APA
APA (2010) Concise rules of APA style. 6th ed. Washington DC, APA
APA Hints on Style