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Counseling and Psychology

Research Steps

Before starting your research, take a few moments to think about your assignment.

  • What key words or phrases define your topic?
  • Can you list some synonyms?
  • What types of materials are you looking for?
  • Are you looking for the latest information or can you use sources published within the last ten years?
Spending a few minutes thinking about your topic will save you lots of time when you begin your research.

Types of Sources

In the fields of Counseling and Psychology:

Primary Sources: include original research studies or original work generally published in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and books authored by a researcher or psychological theorist. Literature reviews are NOT primary sources.

Secondary Sources: include literature reviews and books or other sources that summarize and "repackage" another's work.

Tertiary Sources: include encyclopedias and other reference sources that summarize, condense, and define other's work, theories, or ideas.

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