Staley Library has plenty of online resources that will help you locate the primary sources you need for your research paper. This page includes tips on how to use the many helpful advanced search features included by CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Proquest Nursing and Allied Health Source.
Since we do not have access to all the full text, please make use of the interlibrary loan request system. Articles can take up to two days to be delivered to your email; however, it usually takes less time.
If you're having troubles locating sources, reach out to your liaison librarian, Liz Hollendonner via email or set up an appointment.
There are other, useful search limiters on the main search screen, below the search box that allow you to limit your results to certain options before you even perform your search. Look for the "Search Options" area of the screen.
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PubMed includes options to filter your search results after you perform a search:
On the left side of the screen, filter/limit options include:
This database does not have as many specific limiters as CINAHL, but is still useful for locating sources for your care plans.
1. Start by typing your search term(s) into the search boxes at the top of the screen.
2. Next, scroll down the page to the search options to find the option labeled "Document Type." Choose "Evidence Based Healthcare," then click "Search."
3. Results will be limited to evidence-based practice publications like systematic reviews, evidence summaries, and best practice information sheets.
One of the highest levels in the hierarchy of evidence based practice is evidence from a systematic review or meta-analysis of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCT).
Systematic Review- through a well-defined process, researchers identify and analyze multiple research studies addressing the same clinical issue to come to a conclusion on the effectiveness of a specific intervention, diagnostic test, or methodology.
Meta-Analysis- quantitative statistical analysis of data collected from the many studies in a systematic review.
To locate and access this type of evidence, use one of the following databases:
For more about Cochrane Reviews, see: http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/view/0/AboutCochraneSystematicReviews.html
For Cochrane Library tutorial videos, see: http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/view/0/HowtoUse.html
1. Start your search by typing keywords for the disease, condition, intervention, or methodology into the search box and click "Go":
2. Results will display where your search term(s) appear in the title, abstract or assigned keywords of the systematic review. Click on a title to view the full text of the review.
3. Once you have chosen a specific result, you will be shown the abstract for the review. To view the summary or full version of the review, or just the figures, tables, or references, choose one of the options in the middle of the screen:
but, you will probably want to scroll down the screen a bit and start with reading the plain language summery:
1. Start by typing your search term(s) into the search boxes at the top of the screen.
2. Next, scroll down the screen into the portion labeled "Filters" until you see the limit labeled "Publication Type." Scroll through these options and click on the selection "Meta Analysis," "Meta Synthesis" or "Systematic Review."
There is also a filter option for "Meta-Synthesis."
3. Then click "Search" to see search results related to your search terms with that publication type. Click on full text links to view the systematic review or meta-analysis:
1. Start by searching your search terms in the PubMed search box and hit enter.
2. As described above, in the PubMed Search Limits guide, on the left side of the screen, select "Customize" under "Article Types."
3. Select "Systematic Reviews" or "Meta-Analysis" from the list of article types and and click "Show."
