Databases

PubMed
http://www.pubmed.gov

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

TIPS for using PubMed

• Use the Limits and History features to narrow your searches.
• Use the MeSH database to find the actual term you are searching for.
• Use AND, OR, and NOT in capitals to combine terms.

Online Training Tutorials
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/disted/pubmed.html

Cochrane Library
http://www.thecochranelibrary.com

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

TIPS for using The Cochrane Library

• Click on the LEARN section. It is well worth having a look at as it explains the various databases available.
• When you have located articles use the PDF option to Print as it retains the formatting.
• Be aware that some of the articles can be 70 pages long.

Online Training Tutorials
Cochrane Training Library Hub
https://www.wiley.com/network/cochranelibrarytraining

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
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.

Online Training Tutorials
https://eric.ed.gov/?multimedia