How to find nursing research articles
Many times an assignment will require you to search for topics in nursing research journals. When looking at a list of journals with research in the title you will find that there are very few.
General Search Tips
Take a moment to study the Help documentation on every screen.
- Recall that you are searching true databases, not search engines.
- Help documentation can save you considerable time by quickly familiarizing you with the search syntax and protocols of the database that you are searching.
- Pay attention to concepts such as truncation.
- * is used to replace many characters. For example, operat* = operation, operations, operational, operator, operated, etc.
- ? is used to replace one character. For example, educat?? = educated, educator
Be sure to use the most powerful search features available.
- Most database services offer some sort of advanced searching option: use it. Natural language searching has the advantage of allowing you to search in the same manner that you would speak to someone about your information request; in other words, you can ignore database search syntax. The disadvantage is that the technology is such that results are not always relevant, precise, or accurate. However, try this option, too, if it is available.
Use Controlled (or Standardized) Language
- If possible, use valid subject headings in your search. This increases the chance for you to obtain articles that are generally about the subject that you are searching on, and to avoid so-called "false drops".
- Do a keyword search first, and then study the subject terms that have been assigned.
- You should be aware of the importance of many of these concepts in other databases. In other databases, though, the details may vary. For example, truncation may employ different wild card characters, etc.
The next few parts of this tutorial will focus on how to search specific databases.
To access these databases from off-campus simply click on the direct link to the database. When promoted input your MSOE username and password. Make sure you are not logged into MyMSOE, inside.msoe.edu, or the VPN when accessing databases off campus. Need Help with off-campus access? Click Here for Instructions.