When determining your information need, it is important to take a moment to reflect on the nature of your question, assignment or project.  Examples of information needs in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling include:

A. Need for background information, topic overview, facts and figures:

• Where can I find a definition, including diagnostic features, of generalized anxiety disorder? [Best source: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5)]
• What does the BASC-II  test measure?
• What is the history of school counseling in the United States?
• Where can I find a description and history of the EMDR treatment model?
• Is group therapy an effective intervention for students with eating disorders at the middle school level?
• How can I find a biography of Dr. Aaron Beck?
• I need to learn more about parametric statistics.
• Where can I review a copy of the ACA Code of Ethics?

B. Need to Locate Original Scholarly Research on a Specific Topic. Some topic examples:

• Is cognitive behavioral therapy an effective treatment for middle school students with depression?
• What is the best intervention for elementary level students suffering from testing-related anxiety?
• When working with persons of hispanic descent in a family therapy context, what cultural factors need to be considered for the most positive treatment outcome?
• What programs are most successful in addressing severe bullying problems in an urban high school setting?
• Is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) an effective tool in career counseling?
• Can drama therapy be an effective treatment model in working with clients who are alcoholic?
• What are the best interventions to consider when addressing internet addiction?
• Under what conditions should a client be referred to a psychiatrist?
• How is the practice of counseling currently effective by the coverage policies of major health insurers?

Please note that original scholarly research is primarily found in scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles (see the "Find Articles" tab on this guide), while background information can be found either in books/ebooks (see "Find Books" tab), in databases, or in authoritative websites.