Title: Introduction To Databases
1Accessing Sources Of Evidence For Practice
- Introduction To Databases
- Karen Smith
- Department of Health Sciences
- University of York
2Introduction to Databases
- Objectives
- Have practical experience in using the main
health care databases including the Cochrane
Library, Medline, Evidence-Based Nursing - Â
- Have an overview of the range of databases
available and the ability to select one which is
relevant to your needs - Â
3What Is A Bibliographic Database?
- They store details from publications which
include journals, conferences, letters, reviews
etc - The details are displayed in the form of a record
for each item - Sometimes an abstract (summary) is provided
- May also link to full text
4What Are Databases Used For?
- They are searchable using author name, subject,
title and year - Enable you to find articles on a subject
- They allow you to search through a much larger
number of articles than you could by hand
5Some Applications
- Used to search for information to support essays
- They are a fast way to search a large number of
records and thus save you time
6Some Applications Ctd
- Used to search for information to inform research
projects - Used by clinicians and patients to inform nursing
practice and acquire up to date information on
treatment
7Choosing The Right Database
  Â
- Selecting the right resource is crucial to
literature searching -
- In health related topics there is a wide variety
of different databases to choose from
8Choosing The Right Database Ctd
- They can offer very different information
- Each has its strengths and weaknesses e.g. Cinahl
is stronger than Medline in a number of areas
e.g. nursing - Some focus on narrow areas of interest e.g.
PsycINFO
9Choosing The Right Database Ctd
- Others focus on specific research methods e.g.
Cochrane Library
10Coverage
- Each database varies in coverage
- Some overlap with others
- Some may be subject specific whilst others could
be multidisciplinary
11Examples
- Here are some databases we recommend you use to
research your questions and topics
12Examples
- Cochrane Library in particular the Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews - Medline
- Cinahl
- Evidence Based Nursing Online
13Access
- Most databases can be accessed using Metalib
- http//www.york.ac.uk/
14Access
15Cochrane Library
- What is it?
- The Cochrane Library is an electronic publication
designed to supply high quality evidence to
inform people providing and receiving care, and
those responsible for research, teaching, funding
and administration at all levels
16Cochrane Library
- Where is it?
- http//www.library.nhs.uk/Default.aspx
17National Library for Health
18Cochrane Library Ctd
- Major source, though not comprehensive
- Complete text of reviews regularly updated
- Reviews in progress therefore very up to date
information.
19Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews)
20Cochrane Library Ctd
- Key source of evidence - quality assessed reviews
using quality criteria - It contains the most comprehensive and
international collection of evidence on which
types of health care have been shown to work and
which need more research
21Cochrane Library Ctd
- It is used by researchers and clinicians
worldwide, and increasingly by patients and their
families - Provides the evidence base for many people
involved in the preparation of health guidelines
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23Cochrane Library Ctd
- The Cochrane Library consists of a regularly
updated collection of evidence-based medicine
databases - The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
(Cochrane Reviews) is one of these - This database contains reviews of previous
research undertaken
24The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
- Saves you time because the author has already
carried out a detailed search - Evaluates the research using reliable methods
- Comprehensive summary of the available evidence
an overview
25Cochrane Demonstration
- http//www.library.nhs.uk/Default.aspx
26Medline
- Major index of 4,000 plus biomedical journals
- Contains references and abstracts added from 1950
onwards - MEDLINE's journal coverage is extensive but
represents possibly just a third, of the number
of biomedical journals published worldwide
27Medline Ctd
- Most MEDLINE records are from English language
sources or have English abstracts, and may have
an English - Take care as not all are available in
- English
- Available via Ovid Web Gateway.
28Cinahl
- US produced database of nursing and allied health
literature - Coverage from 1982 onwards
- Includes references and abstracts from 950
journals
29Cinahl
- Available via Ebsco gateway
- Updated weekly.
- English language and N. American bias
- http//metalib0.york.ac.uk/
30Find them at (demonstration)
- MetaLib
- http//www.york.ac.uk/
31Evidence Based Nursing Online
- Quarterly journal
- Alerts practicing nurses to advances in
treatment, diagnosis, aetiology and prognosis - Surveys a wide range of international medical
journals applying strict criteria for the quality
and validity of research
32Evidence Based Nursing Online Ctd
- The key details of studies are presented in an
abstract with an expert commentary on its
clinical application - A reliable source of evidence
- Saves time by carrying out the analysis on your
behalf - http//ebn.bmjjournals.com/
33Some more databases to try
- PsycINFO psychology and psychiatry
- Embase pharmaceuticals and physical therapy
- British Nursing Index British references
34Some more databases to try ctd
- Health Management Consortium
- Department of Health and Kings Fund management
database - AMED allied and complimentary medicine
35Find them at (demonstration)
- Metalib
- http//metalib0.york.ac.uk/
36Time to practice!