PsycBOOKS^® Frequently Asked Questions

These are the top questions asked most by our visitors. If you have a question that's not on this list, please e-mail us. We'll send you a personal response within the week.

1. What is PsycBOOKS?
2. How do I get access to PsycBOOKS?
3. How often is PsycBOOKS updated?
4. What is the embargo period for PsycBOOKS?
5. How can I get search help?
6. What books are contained in PsycBOOKS?
7. What is a "Classic Book"?
8. Who should I contact for more information?

1. What is PsycBOOKS?

PsycBOOKS is a full-text database of scholarly titles published by APA Books and others. It contains more than 1,300 book titles, and more than 200 are landmark texts in psychology. PsycBOOKS also features the exclusive electronic release of the APA/Oxford University Press Encyclopedia of Psychology. The Encyclopedia contains more than 1,500 authored entries.

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2. How do I get access to PsycBOOKS?

Libraries and other institutions: You can license PsycBOOKS from APA or through another vendor. Please visit the PsycBOOKS Licensing page for more information.

APA members: PsycBOOKS is included in the APA member Platinum and Gold packages. Visit the Members Only Access page to see the latest special offer on these packages.

Non-APA members: If you want to purchase yearly access to PsycBOOKS, go to the APA Gold Homepage to order online, or call 1-800-374-2722.

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3. How often is PsycBOOKS updated?

PsycBOOKS is updated monthly.

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4. What is the embargo period for PsycBOOKS?

The embargo period for PsycBOOKS is approximately 18 months.

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5. How can I get search help?

Most search systems provide context-sensitive online help, so that's the best place to start. There's probably a HELP button somewhere on the screen. If you're searching PsycBOOKS through your institution's library, a reference librarian may be able to sit down with you and guide you through the search.

Visit the Help and Training Center. It has search guides and other useful information specific to each vendor system that provides PsycINFO databases, including PsycBOOKS.

For help with a specific search strategy, contact PsycINFO. We can give you suggestions about what terms to search and help you if what you've searched for already isn't giving you the information you want.

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6. What books are contained in PsycBOOKS?

PsycBOOKS contains books published by APA Books and others. There are more that 1,300 titles covered in PsycBOOKS. More than 600 are designated to be Classic Books. To see the complete list of titles, visit the PsycBOOKS Coverage List page.

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7. What is a "Classic Book"?

Classic Books are books selected as landmark titles in psychology—these titles are typically out of print. Most systems give you the option to limit your search to "Classic Books Only."

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8. Who should I contact for more information?

To get more information, e-mail PsycINFO or call our toll-free line at 1-800-374-2722.

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