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 (

rebrown2@vcu.edu)

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 rebrown2@vcu.edu Ph. 804-828-1592