Searching Medline

1. Searching Medline Samantha Johnson Academic Support Librarian

2. Objectives • By the end of the session you will be able to: • understand the principles of literature searching • develop an effective search strategy • identify key information resources • identify whether the full text is available • request items not available locally

3. Finding known information • Specific books or journal articles that you are aware of: • included on reading lists/lectures • good for background information/general overview • Use the Library Catalogue: • to find books ) search by BOOK or • to find journals ) JOURNAL TITLE • Use the A-Z ejournal list: • to find journals ) search by JOURNAL TITLE

4. Locating a reference • To find out if the library holds a particular article search for the JOURNAL TITLE in the library catalogue or the A-Z ejournals list • Irvine, L., et al. (1999) Advising parents of asthmatic children on passive smoking: randomised controlled trial.BMJ. 318(7196):1456-1459.

5. Finding unknown information • Require in-depth information on a specific subject area • Current research articles • Review of a particular subject • Use a database to conduct a literature search • Search 1000’s journal titles in one go • http://go.warwick.ac.uk/lib-medicine

6. Medline (OVID SP) • Key medical database • Covers over 6,000 clinical journals • US bias – so watch out for differences in terminology & spelling • MeSH headings help you to find the correct search term • Pubmed – Freely available version • Same content (95%)

7. Other medical databases • Embase • Indexes approx 5000 biomedical & pharmacological journals • European bias • AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine) • Indexes approximately 500 physiotherapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation, podiatry, speech and language therapy journals

8. Other databases • ASSIA • Applied Social Sciences • Community and social aspects of medicine & healthcare • PsycInfo • Indexes psychiatric and psychological material • Journal articles and book chapters

9. General science database • Web of Knowledge • Multidisciplinary • Good for all subject areas • Covers sciences, social sciences and arts & humanities • Available from 1970 • Citation searching

10. Starting the search process • Assess the question • Devise a search strategy • Identify appropriate resources • Use resources effectively • Evaluate search strategy and results • Manage search results (Endnote Web)

11. The Question • Are there any RCTs available on the effect of passive smoking on children with asthma or bronchitis?

12. Devise a search strategy • Identify the different ideas/concepts covered by your question • Identify the keywords or phrases • Identify any synonyms, alternative spellings and related terms • Think about how you want to combine the search terms together • Are there any limits that can be applied?

13. The Question • Are there any RCTs available on the effect of passive smoking on children with asthmaORbronchitis? • Concepts: Passive smoking, asthma, bronchitis • Limits: RCT’s, Children • Combining: OR

14. Developing a search strategy Are there any RCTs available on the effect of passive smoking on children with asthma or bronchitis?

15. Combining keywords • Combine terms using Boolean operators: Asthma Passive smoking OR Bronchitis AND asthma (broadens search) (narrows search) OR AND

16. Limits • Some databases have pre-defined limits: • Publication year • Publication type • Age group • Use instead of search terms, e.g., • use the “Adolescent (13-18 years)” limit • instead of adolescent/s, teenager/s, school children, youths, young adults • All articles about this age group will have been indexed under the “Adolescent” limit

17. Putting the search together Search 1: Passive smoking Search 2: Asthma Search 3: Bronchitis Search 4: Combine Search 2 OR Search 3 Search 5: Combine Search 1 AND Search 4 Use Additional Limits: Select criteria from Age Groups and Publication Type boxes

18. Medline Tutorialgo.warwick.ac.uk/lib-medtut • Compulsory • Need to enter student number to confirm completion • Time to complete: 30 mins • Deadline: 17 December 2010 • After deadline: remains available for revision purposes

19. Medline tutorial • Advice and help in creating a search strategy • Explains the search features unique to Medline • Quizzes at the end of each section • Ability to complete a “live” search

20. Document Supplyhttp://go.warwick.ac.uk/lib-docsupply • Request material not available at Warwick • Complete a Document Supply form and obtain authorisation from Department • Select Secure Electronic Delivery (SED) for journal articles • Allow up to 14 days for delivery

21. Further Help • Email: Samantha.A.Johnson@warwick.ac.uk Ext. 22427 or Tel. 024 7652 2427 • Visit the main library and speak to a member of staff • Check the library web pages at: http://go.warwick.ac.uk/lib-main

22. Usernames and passwords • Your University username and password allows you to access all of our electronic resources

23. Accessing library resourcesfrom off-campus • After registering for a University username and password go to on your own or work PC: • Library Homepage > Subject Resources >Off –campus access page > Athens setup and follow the instructions • This will set a cookie on your PC and allow automatic login to the electronic resources • Virus checkers sometimes delete cookies, so you may need to re-set it