Databases

19 May 2008

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PubMed
http://www.pubmed.gov

Provided by the National Library of Medicine, this reference database dates back to 1966.

TIPS for using PubMed

Free access in the Republic of Ireland as it is funded by the Department of Health and Children.

TIPS for using The Cochrane Library

Download the User Guide (pdf) well worth having a look at as it explains the various databases available.
When you have located articles use the Printer Friendly option to Print as it retains the formatting.
Do not tick all the charts unless you really require them as some of the articles can be 70 pages long.

Online Training Tutorials
Part One - The Cochrane Library - an introduction
http://www.brainshark.com/wiley/cochrane1

Part Two - The Cochrane Library - searching and using MESH
http://www.brainshark.com/wiley/cochrane2

TRIP Database (Turning Research into Practice)
http://www.tripdatabase.com

It is an excellent site for Evidence Based Medicine information.

TIPS for using the TRIP database

Using only one term can bring back a large number of results, so think of additional terms to help qualify the search e.g. asthma and steroids.
On the results page you can filter your results based on an evidence based medicine hierarchy e.g. evidence-based synopses, systematic reviews. Use the 'Filter by' function on the right-hand side of the screen.
It automatically searches Medline for you and displays the results.
It searches the "Big 4" i.e. JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine, the Lancet and BMJ.

ERIC (Education Resource Information Center) US
http://www.eric.ed.gov

Sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the US Department of Education

Coverage from 1966 to present.

TIPS for using ERIC

Use the ERIC Thesaurus.
Always choose the Advanced Search option.
Limit your Publication Dates e.g. 1994 to 2004.
Tick the "Full-text availability" if you only want results with full-text provided.