Most databases have a Basic Search function, and an Advanced Search function. Here are some tips on when to use the searches, and how to search effectively.

Keywords

You will need to use keywords in your searches; these are either single words or short phrases that describe your topic. Do not enter an entire question in the search box.

Basic Search

Use basic search when you want to start your research. You will receive a lot of results, but some may not be applicable to your topic.

Advanced Search

Use advanced search when you need to get results that are specific to your topic. You will combine keywords to produce a few but very relevant results. Use AND, NOT, and OR to combine terms. For example, if your topic is evidence-based treatment of stroke victims, use the following terms: stroke treatment AND evidence based

Limits

Limits help you narrow your results to full-text articles and scholarly journals. For example, you can specify a range of publication years.

The following sites are much more reliable than Wikipedia or WebMD. You'll find information about symptoms, causes, and treatments for most health problems.  Use these sites when you are looking for clinical information about diseases and disorders. 

To find a specific article (i.e. you have all or most of the citation information) go to our e-journal page and search by the title of the journal or magazine: https://pq7sb9bk9u.search.serialssolutions.com/

If the magazine or journal is listed select one of the blue database links below the title that includes the date of the article you are trying to locate.

This will open the database and you can choose from the volumes and issues listed to find the article you need.

**If you are unable to find your article after these steps you can request the article through Interlibrary Loan.

The databases you will be using are not like Google. Break your question up into smaller keywords and use the Advanced Search function when possible to combine your keywords in your search.

Use "evidence-based" as one of the keywords to search for articles that have "evidence-based" in the abstract. This will usually indicate that the article is about an evidence-based practice topic.

Brainstorm keywords before you begin searching, and as you search. Your search strategies may change as you get to know the database and the terms and subject headings it uses for specific topics.