Introduction To Databases

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Accessing Sources Of Evidence For Practice

• Introduction To Databases
• Karen Smith
• Department of Health Sciences
• University of York

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Introduction to Databases

• Objectives
• Have practical experience in using the main
  health care databases including the Cochrane
  Library, Medline, Evidence-Based Nursing
•  
• Have an overview of the range of databases
  available and the ability to select one which is
  relevant to your needs
•  

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What 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

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What 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

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Some 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

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Some 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

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Choosing The Right Database

   

• Selecting the right resource is crucial to
  literature searching
• In health related topics there is a wide variety
  of different databases to choose from

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Choosing 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

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Choosing The Right Database Ctd

• Others focus on specific research methods e.g.
  Cochrane Library

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Coverage

• Each database varies in coverage
• Some overlap with others
• Some may be subject specific whilst others could
  be multidisciplinary

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Examples

• Here are some databases we recommend you use to
  research your questions and topics

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Examples

• Cochrane Library in particular the Cochrane
  Database of Systematic Reviews
• Medline
• Cinahl
• Evidence Based Nursing Online

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Access

• Most databases can be accessed using Metalib
• http//www.york.ac.uk/

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Access
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Cochrane 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

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Cochrane Library

• Where is it?
• http//www.library.nhs.uk/Default.aspx

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National Library for Health
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Cochrane Library Ctd

• Major source, though not comprehensive
• Complete text of reviews regularly updated
• Reviews in progress therefore very up to date
  information.

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Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews)
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Cochrane 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

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Cochrane 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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Cochrane 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

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The 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

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Cochrane Demonstration

• http//www.library.nhs.uk/Default.aspx

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Medline

• 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

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Medline 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.

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Cinahl

• US produced database of nursing and allied health
  literature
• Coverage from 1982 onwards
• Includes references and abstracts from 950
  journals

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Cinahl

• Available via Ebsco gateway
• Updated weekly.
• English language and N. American bias
• http//metalib0.york.ac.uk/

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Find them at (demonstration)

• MetaLib
• http//www.york.ac.uk/

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Evidence 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

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Evidence 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/

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Some more databases to try

• PsycINFO psychology and psychiatry
• Embase pharmaceuticals and physical therapy
• British Nursing Index British references

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Some more databases to try ctd

• Health Management Consortium
• Department of Health and Kings Fund management
  database
• AMED allied and complimentary medicine

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Find them at (demonstration)

• Metalib
• http//metalib0.york.ac.uk/

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Time to practice!