Whether you need a simple or in-depth search, you'll find what you need in one or more of the databases listed below:

Basic Searching Techniques

MEDLINE - PubMed or OVID

CINAHL

If none of these databases meet your needs or you would like assistance in searching any of these databases, feel free to contact the Northwest Campus Librarian at 479-521-7615 or email at kstrahan@uams.edu to ask questions or set up a consultation. Additionally you can contact your favorite librarian from the staff list of the Education and Research Department.

Every database has a slightly different search interface, but these basic searching techniques will help you get the most out of your search in any database.

1. Form your clinical search questions and pull out the key terms or phrases you need.

   • Example: Will dexamethasone help reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting in women?

   • Key Term/phrases: dexamethasone, post-operative, nausea, vomiting, women (notice that reduction is not a key term, it is difficult to search for adjectives or most outcomes, excepting mortality or length of stay)

2. Enter the key terms and phrases individually or as a group separated by AND into the search bar of the database - note the use of quotation marks around phrases in the below examples:

   • dexamethasone AND "postoperative nausea and vomiting" AND women

   • dexamethasone AND postoperative AND "nausea and vomiting" AND women

   • dexamethasone AND postoperative AND nausea AND vomiting AND women

3. Keep in mind that there are many words for the same concept, so consider alternate searches if you cannot find what you need:

   • Expanded: dexamethasone AND postoperative AND (nausea OR vomiting) AND women

   • Expanded More: dexamethasone AND postoperative AND (nausea OR vomiting) AND (women Or female)

   • Reduced: dexamethasone AND "postoperative nausea and vomiting"

4. Add necessary limits as allowed by the database:

   • Examples - English language, sex (female or male), publication date (last 10 years, etc.) age ranges (newborn, adolescent, adult, elderly) 

5. Now you are ready to search the citations for relevant articles.

To access PubMed use the link above, or access through the Library homepage at Start Your Search or the Library Quick Links box in the middle of the page. PubMed Basics Handout

PubMed Searching Tips:

1. Use AND, OR, NOT to combine search term terms/phrases.
2. Use the filters on the left side of the screen to narrow your search.
3. Use the Advanced page(below your search bar) to review your search. You can also search directly from this page.
4. Click the boxes beside citations and use the Send to(top right below the search bar) to save or email citations.
5.  Use the Check for UAMS Full Text button to search the UAMS LIbrary's full catalog. 

To access CINAHL use the link above, or access through the Library homepage at the Library Quick Links box in the middle of the page or through the A-Z Digital resources. Library CINAHL Guide

CINAHL Searching Tips:

1. Use AND, OR, NOT to combine search term terms/phrases.
2. Use CINAHL Headings(top of the page) to retrieve more precise results.
3. Add limits either before you search or use the Edit button from the Search History menu.
4. Click the blue folder to the left of citations to save, then access all saved citation from the Folder on the top or right hand side of the screen.
5. In the folder choose individual citations or all citations to save, email or export to RefWorks.
6.  Use the Check for UAMS Full Text button to search the UAMS LIbrary's full catalog.