Printer Friendly VersionCochrane Library Search Tips 8/07
What's in the Cochrane Library?
Contains reviews of
up-to-date information on the effects of treatment interventions in
health care. Provides evidenced-based information on decisions taken in health care.
Topics are categorized according to Specialist Groups; of possible interest are:
Rehabilitation and Related Therapies (incl. Speech Language
Therapies), Stroke Group,
Neurological Network, Dementia and Cognitive Improvement
Group, Ear, Nose and
Throat Group, and the Oral Health Group.
Cochrane Library Selected Features:
CDSR (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)- Unbiased reviews of all relevant
scientific studies on a particular topic, including methodology reviews and protocols.
CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials)- Details of published articles
taken from MEDLINE and EMBASE and other published and unpublished sources.
Does not include full texts of articles.
CMR (Cochrane Methodology Register) - Bibliography of publications which report on
methods
used in the conduct of controlled trials.
DARE (Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects)- Background & "grey" literature; complements CDSR by quality assessing and summarizing reviews.
HTA (Health Technology Assessment Database)- Brings together data of completed and ongoing health technology assessments (medical, social, ethical and economic factors of interventions).
NHSEED (NHS Economic Evaluation Database)- Economic evaluations across the world.
If in doubt as to which databases to search, select
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Boolean operators (connectors): AND, OR, NOT
AND is used by default between terms, regardless of location or proximity in a record.
Example: brain stem will retrieve records where both words are included in any order
or proximity. Use quotation marks with exact phrases (see below).
Synonyms: Use OR to connect similar terms. You can use a comma shortcut for the
word OR. Example: elderly, old can be used as well as elderly OR old
Phrase searching: Use quotation marks for words in a particular order.
Example: "birth order"
Truncation - picks up any ending: This is done automatically.
Example: aid will retrieve aid, aids, aided, aiding
Wildcard: Use * Example: behavi*r [for behavior or behaviour]
Hyphens: Hyphens are treated as characters. Use both hyphenated words and
NEXT command when
searching for hyphenated words.
Example: high-risk OR high NEXT risk
Nesting - for when you use a mixture of operators:
Example: (aphasia or alexia or anomia or dysphasia) and (older adult* or elderly)
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What's in the ComDisDOME (CSA)?
This database originally acted as an experimental gateway to journal articles, selected dissertations, books, and web resources of interest to the CSD field. However, since its recent acquisition by CSA in 2007, it no longer functions as much as a 'gateway' and instead primarily searches CSD journals (using MEDLINE) - and some subject specific dissertations (using a subset of Dissertations Abstracts Online.)
Boolean operators (connectors): AND, OR, NOT
Synonyms: Use OR to connect similar terms. Example: adolescents OR teenagers
Phrase searching:
automatically searches for adjacent words. Example: cochlear hair cell*
Multiple words entered into a search field (e.g., stria vascularis), will be treated as a phrase.
To find all words entered in a search field, separate words with AND.
To find any words entered in a search field, separate words with OR.
Truncation - for within words; or picks up any ending:
behavi*r [for behavior or behaviour] ; adolescen* [for adolescence or adolescent, etc.)
Nesting - for when you use a mixture of operators:
bilingual* and (infant* or child*) and speech perception;
assessment and (aphasia or alexia or anomia or dysphasia) and (older adult* or elderly)
Limit to a particular journal (jn= )
jn=journal of child language ; jn=journal of child language and autism
Eliminate a previous search; combine searches:
At 
link at top of screen, delete individual search set(s) and/or
eliminate them in a new combined search:
Compare types of searches:
Words (Keywords, KW=) - searches author, title, abstract, key phrases, descriptors
Title (Title, TI=) - searches title words only
Subject (Descriptors, DE=) - search key phrases as descriptors only (works with MEDLINE articles)
Subject Searching: The ComDisDOME searches more than one database, including MEDLINE and a subset of Dissertations Abstract Online. When it searches MEDLINE, it uses the MeSH controlled vocabulary thesaurus. Dissertations Abstracts Online does not use a controlled thesaurus.
If you already know the correct MEDLINE descriptor term or phrase, use de=term or
phrase you want to use: de=aphasia, broca
An experimental Topic Guide is also available, which provides an hierachical/alphabetical/rotated view of the discipline's major topic areas. Use the Thesaurus Search button to browse - and search - for terms in this Topic Guide:
How to find E-Journal full-text articles:
Click on JMU's 
link when you find a good reference OR
open a 2nd web browser and search Periodical Locator for the journal.
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What's in ERIC (EBSCO)?
Abstracts of educational periodicals and unpublished documents available since 1966.
Includes links to selected full text articles and ERIC Documents. Updated weekly.
ERIC journals are identified by an EJ number; ERIC Documents are identified by an
ED number. About 92% of ERIC Documents from 1993 to present are available
online; the majority of the remainder are available on microfiche in the microfilm room on
the 2d floor of Carrier Library. The microfiche are filed by ED number.
Boolean operators (connectors): AND, OR, NOT
Synonyms: Use OR to connect similar terms. Example: adolescents OR teenagers
Phrase searching: Use " ". Example: "birth order"
Truncation - picks up any ending: Example: adolescen* will retrieve adolescence,
adolescent, adolescents
Nesting - for when you use a mixture of operators:
bilingual* and (adolescent* or teenagers or youth or high school students) ;
communication and (pdd or autis* or asperger's)
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Browse thru a list of journals: Click on 
at top of search screen. Highlight Journal Title from drop down box, type in word or phrase and click on Browse.
Search within a particular journal: You can search from the Journal Title Index screen, or:
Go to 
Find box at top of screen. At Select a Field (optional) box, select SO Journal Title and type in title of journal. Add other terms in other boxes as needed.
Limit a search: Go to Refine Search and explore drop down boxes:
Limit Option: Possible Choices:
Journal (EJ) or Document (ED) All; Documents; Journal Articles
Educational Levels Early Childhood Education; Higher Education, etc.
Publication Types Books; Dissertations/Theses; Journal Articles, etc.
Intended Audience Counselors; Parents, etc.
Eliminate a previous search. At 
tab:
- Use connectors drop down box. Example: S4 NOT S3 OR
- Click on Delete
that corresponds to the search OR - Click on Clear Search History to remove all searches.
Compare types of searches:
- Find: (keyword) - searches Title, Author, Abstract, Key Concepts,
Subject Heading words, and more
- Subject - Click on online
tab and Browse for: your term within the Thesaurus. Also, if available, use:
Explode - search for that term and broader, narrower or related terms.
To search for a term from the in the database -
Check box by term and click on Search tab to the right of the Find: box.
How to find E-Journal full-text articles:
Click on JMU's link when you find a good reference OR
open a 2nd web
browser and search Periodical Locator for the journal.
Search multiple databases:
Go to Choose Databases and Click on PsycINFO, etc. Then search them all at once.
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LLBA Search Tips (Cambridge Scientific Abstracts) 8/07
What's in LLBA (Language and Linguistics Behavior Abstracts)?
Abstracts of journal articles, books, papers, monographs, dissertations on all aspects
of language - including language acquisition and language and speech disorders.
Boolean operators (connectors): AND, OR, NOT
Synonyms: Use OR to connect similar terms. Example: adolescents OR teenagers
Phrase searching:
automatically searches for adjacent words. Example: speech synthesis
Multiple words entered into a search field (e.g., health nutrition), will be treated as a phrase.
To find all words entered in a search field, separate words with AND.
To find any words entered in a search field, separate words with OR.
Truncation - for within words; or picks up any ending:
behavi*r [for behavior or behaviour] ; adolescen* [for adolescence or adolescent, etc.)
Nesting - for when you use a mixture of operators:
bilingual* and (adolescen* or teenagers or youth or high school students);
assessment and (aphasia or alexia or anomia or dysphasia) and (older adult* or elderly)
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Limit to a particular journal (jn= )
jn=journal of child language ; jn=journal of child language and autism
Eliminate a previous search; combine searches:
At link at top of screen, delete individual search set(s) and/or
eliminate them in a new combined search:
Compare types of searches:
Words (Keywords, KW=) - searches author, title, abstract, key phrases, descriptors
Title (Title, TI=) - searches title words only
Subject (Descriptors, DE=) - search key phrases as descriptors only
Subject Searching: Use the LLBA Thesaurus online:
At the 
tab, Click on the Thesaurus tab
At the Select Thesaurus: box select English version
At the Browse Thesaurus for: box, type in your word(s)
and click on the Go button.
To search the database on term or phrase, click on
the box to the left of the word(s) and then click on the Search box.
If you already know the correct descriptor term or phrase, use de=term or
phrase: de=aphasia
How to find E-Journal full-text articles:
Click on JMU's link when you find a good reference OR
open a 2nd web browser and search Periodical Locator for the journal.
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PsycINFO (EBSCO) Search Tips 8/07
What's in the PsycINFO database?
Abstracts of psychology journal articles, books, book chapters, dissertations and
other documents with links to full text for many articles. Covers 1872 to the present.
97% of the covered material is peer-reviewed.
Boolean operators (connectors): AND, OR, NOT
Synonyms: Use OR to connect similar terms. Example: adolescents OR teenagers
Phrase searching: Automatically searches for adjacent words, without use of " ".
Example: birth order (Cf ERIC searching which differs in this regard 6/07)
Truncation - picks up any ending: Use * Example: adolescen*
Nesting - for when you use a mixture of operators:
bilingual* and (adolescen* or teenagers or youth or high school students) and depression
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Browse thru a list of journals: Click on at top of search screen. Highlight Journal Title from drop down box and click on Browse.
Search within a particular journal: Go to Find box at top of screen. At Select a Field (optional) box, select SO Journal Title and type in title of journal. Add other terms in other boxes as needed.
Limit a search: Go to Refine Search and explore drop down boxes:
Limit Option: Possible Choices:
Methodology Clinical Case Study; Retrospective Study, etc.
Publication Types Peer Reviewed Journal; Dissertation Abstract, etc.
Age Groups Childhood; Adolescence; Adulthood, etc.
Eliminate a previous search. At tab:
- Use connectors drop down box. Example: S4 NOT S3 OR
- Click on Delete that corresponds to the search OR
- Click on Clear Search History to remove all searches.
Compare types of searches:
- Find: (keyword) - searches Title, Author, Abstract, Key Concepts,
Subject Heading words, and more
- Subject - Click on online tab and Browse for: your term within the Thesaurus. Also, if available, use:
Explode - search for that term and broader, narrower or related terms.
To search for a term from the in the database -
Check box by term and click on Search tab to the right of the Find: box.
How to find E-Journal full-text articles:
Click on link when you find a good reference OR
open a 2nd web browser and search Periodical Locator for the journal.
Search multiple databases:
Go to Choose Databases and Click on ERIC, etc. Then search them all at once.
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Try the PubMED and MeSH vocabulary online tutorials.
What's in PubMED:
A medical and health sciences database developed at the National Library of Medicine
(NLM) that provides access to and searching of MEDLINE as well as other life science
related databases. Covers over 140 CSD journal titles. Mid-1960s - present.
PubMed Selected Features:
Journals Database - for complete names, ISSNs, abbreviations
MeSH Database - subject headings
Single Citation Matcher - for missing citation info.
Clinical queries - to search for clinical studies; systematic reviews (evidence based
medicine and consensus development conferences); and medical genetics topics
My NCBI (Cubby) - to save, store and update searches
Related Resources Include:
Clinical Trials.gov - trials in which patients may be enrolled
TOXNET- toxicology database: (noise-induced hearing loss, drug causing hearing loss)
To search just MEDLINE:
Go to the Limits search screen, scroll down the Subsets drop down box until you get to the More Subsets category and then check the MEDLINE box. Or, you can search within MEDLINE from the MeSH Database screen.
ATM: Automatic term mapping. Words entered are automatically matched against
the
MeSH list,
journal titles, phrase list, and author index, in this order. All fields are
searched
unless
limits are chosen.
Boolean operators (connectors):
AND, OR, NOT
Synonyms: Use OR to connect similar terms. Example: adolescents OR teenagers
NOTE: ATM feature will help to locate synonyms
Phrase searching - use quotes around phrase. Example: "cerebral palsy"
NOTE: Double quotes turn off ATM.
Truncation - Use * at ending of word. Example: aphasi* = aphasia, aphasic, etc.
NOTE: Truncation turns off ATM.
Nesting - for when you use a mixture of operators
"cochlear implant" AND (adolescen* OR youth OR "high school students") ;
child* AND "cerebral palsy" AND communication
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Limit a search - Click on the "Limits" link below the search box. Examples include:
Limit Option: Possible Choices:
Publication Types Clinical Trial
Languages English
Ages All Infant: birth-23 months
Human or Animal Human
Gender Female
Publication Date YYYY/MM/DD
NOTE: Limits remain in effect until they are turned off.
Search for a particular or latest issue of a journal: There are a couple of ways to do this. One way is to: Start with the Single Citation Matcher. Type in the name of the journal and then fill in the Date box - or Volume and/or Issue box. Your search results will take you to the PubMed search screen where you can add on search words, as needed, in that box.
NOTE: Journal citations contain only the abbreviated form of a journal title name
(ex: Brain dev.) Copy and paste journal abbreviation to the Journal Database browser
to determine the full, spelled-out title of a journal (ex: Brain & development)
Search for a single article: Use Single Citation Matcher
Search for an author: Use last name plus first initial ; with last name only, use
last name + [au], as in: ryals [au]
Thesaurus: Use MeSH Database to find NLM's subject heading MeSH terms,
including definitions, which can be used in a search.
NOTE: Keywords can be
matched against MeSH terms using ATM.
How to find E-Journal full-text articles:
Click on the link when you find a good reference OR
open a 2nd web browser and search Periodical Locator for the journal.
