Efficiently Searching the Academic Literature

Description

Behavior analysis is an evidence-based practice that relies on integrating client context, professional expertise, and the best available research. However, many practitioners face challenges in efficiently searching for and accessing academic literature. Common barriers include a lack of formal training in research retrieval, difficulty locating full-text versions of articles, and the overwhelming task of sorting through search results.

Many Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) report they are not proficient in searching online databases and are unaware of free resources that provide access to full-text scholarly literature. Additionally, these resources often require searching individually, making the process even more time-consuming.

This tutorial offers a guided approach to evidence-based behavior analysis, emphasizing the importance of staying informed through academic research. You’ll learn:

• How scholarly literature is structured and organized online
• What sources are available to BCBAs for accessing research
• How to apply advanced search techniques to refine and enhance search results

Through interactive exercises, you’ll gain hands-on experience navigating various academic resources and interfaces, ensuring you leave with practical skills to improve your research efficiency.

About the Author

Efficiently Searching the Academic Literature was written by Dr. Nicole Bank, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and PhD-level librarian with extensive experience in both applied behavior analysis and scholarly communication (and who also serves as the CEU Coordinator for CEUniverse!). After two decades of providing ABA-based treatment for young children with autism across Colorado, Texas, and Brazil, she pursued advanced studies in information science to bridge the research-to-practice gap in behavior analysis. Dr. Bank has presented this content at ABAI, APBA, in guest lectures, and through online webinars. She has also authored papers on the research literacy of behavior analysts. When she’s not exploring ways to improve information accessibility in ABA, she enjoys cheering on the Denver Broncos, revisiting the Harry Potter series, The Goonies, and indulging in some well-earned Minecraft sessions.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing the tutorial, you will be able to:

1. List common barriers professional behavior analysts experience when staying in contact with the scholarly literature
2. Describe why this course has been developed
3. Describe what skills are necessary to stay in contact with the scholarly literature
4. Explain how the academic literature is stored and organized online
5. Demonstrate at least three advanced search skills that yield more relevant search results

History

This tutorial was developed in response to the author’s doctoral research in information science and behavior analysis at the University of North Texas. During her study on the literature search practices of behavior analysts, Dr. Bank discovered that many professionals had never been taught how to conduct effective searches and rarely used advanced search functions. Initially designed as a guest lecture for graduate students in behavior analysis, the material evolved into a broader resource for practicing professionals who lack access to university libraries. The first iteration of this content was presented as a webinar in 2023. A self-paced version was developed and officially launched through CEUniverse in February 2025.