NURS 416: Suggested Databases
Roy Brown, MLIS, AHIPEducation and Research Librarian
Tompkins-McCaw Library, VCU Libraries
Objectives:
By the end of this class you will :• Be aware of the databases that will useful for
NURS416• Be aware of when to use controlled vocabulary and
keywords• Understand that if you need help to let me know (
The Search Process Search Steps
2.
5. Evaluate the Results
6. Good Results = Use the Data • Bad = Start Over
3. Choose the appropriate database(s) or resource for
your topic
4. Perform the Search
1. Problem/ Construct Question
Image: http://evidencebasedhealth.blogspot.com/
Formulate Your Search Strategy
• Synonyms for Search Terms• Subject Heading vs. Keyword• Boolean Operators & Limits
Selecting the Right Resource • Research Guides
▫ Nursing ▫ NURS 416 Course Guide
• Important Databases• CINAHL Plus with Full Text
PubMed/MEDLINE : The primary database of information in biomedical and health sciences fields.
• JSTOR• ASSIA
: Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts: Coverage includes: criminology, education, ethnic studies, family, health, housing, marriage, immigration, industrial relations, national politics, race relations, religion, women's studies.
• Sociological Abstracts: Coverage includes: culture and social structure; social differentiation/ inequality, social psychology/group interaction; social welfare.
• Dissertations and Theses Full Text (Proquest)
Keyword• Also called natural language searching• Search for words or phrases found in title,
abstract, or other parts of articles• Keyword searching used for
▫ New terminology▫ Rare terms▫ Other terms that have no related subject heading▫ Spelling variations
•Truncation - Train*▫ Trained, Trainer, Training, etc.
•Grouping Using “Guided Imagery”▫Use Quotation Marks ▫Without Quotes – AND Terms Together
Perspective
All searched when searching by keyword
Pepsi
Coke Pop
Soda SodaPop
Subject Headings/ Controlled Vocabulary
• Controlled Vocabulary – Thesaurus▫ Help to return results that directly
apply to subject of the search• Hierarchy – Tree Structure
▫ Broad –Specific• Minor / Major Heading
▫ Major Heading - Focuses your search results to returning articles that specifically address the topic PubMed – have stars beside them CINAHL – Divided into Major &
Minor Headings • Scope Note – Term Definition
Soda Pop
Soft Drink
May need to move backward in order to move forward……
Searched when searching with Subject Headings/ Controlled
Vocabulary
Boolean Operators - AND
• Combines concepts
• Relationship
• Retrieves records that contain BOTH terms entered
Soda Pop Weight Gain
Boolean Operators - OR
• Combines synonyms or like concepts
• No Relationship Necessary
• Retrieves records that contain EITHER term entered
Coke Pepsi
When Searching………..
Combining Terms Together
Group 1
Combine Terms with
OR
Group 2
Combine Terms with
OR
AND AND
Group 3
Combine Terms with
OR
Keep in Mind……
Break Your Search into Concepts –
Start Your Search Broad and Then Focus –
Be sure to come up with alternative or related terms for your topic
Always search in at least two databases.
Keep in Mind……
Ways to Expand Your Results Ways to Focus Your Results
• Explode Your Terms• Keyword Searching• Look At Related or Citing
Articles
• Major Concept/Subject• Subheadings• Limits
JSTOR • Click on
Advanced Search
• Keyword Search – Remember to use “” and that there may be synonyms for what you are looking for.
Keyword Search – can
search specific sections of the
citation.
Limits
Sociological Abstracts & ASSIA: Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts
Limits
Controlled vocabulary.
Hierarch structure, can
see it by clicking on the
term.
Be sure you are in advanced search
Dissertations and Theses Full TextGood place to go when you want to see if
there is anything that has not been published in
other channels.
Same layout out as
sociological databases –
one difference are orgnized with a kind of
controlled vocabulary in limits section
Click here to get to lists of the terms that may help to retrieve dissertations
and thesis that could be useful.
If You Need Help……..• Get in touch with Me…..
Roy Brown, MLIS Education and Research
Librarian Tompkins-McCaw Library,
VCU Libraries [email protected] Ph. 804-828-1592
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