Working with a Search Strategy in Cinahl

Cinahl is a nursing specialist database. Previous blog items have looked at how you can improve your searching and control how you can view your results. This blog post will show you how to manage your search strategy.

View your Searches

To view the searches you have already executed, click the “Search History” link underneath the search boxes.

Screen-shot of the Search History link

You can perform a number of limited searches; each search will be recorded on a separate row in the history table. You can then use the Search History rows to build up your strategy. Your final search will then include all the search terms and thesaurus terms that you have used.

Screen-shot of example simple searches in Cinahl

Print Search History

You can choose “Print Search History” to show your search strategy. Then right-click and select “Print” to print out a copy. You could also take a screen-shot and add to your assignment or notes to keep a record of your search strategy.

For more help developing your search strategy try our Information Skills etutorials; start with our Introduction to Literature Searching etutorial.

Comments

Login to Library Search – step-by-step instructions for NHS staff

Library Search is a discovery tool, allowing you to find items within the library collections. You can search Library Search without logging in to view books and ebooks available in our collections. By logging in to your library account on Library Search you can access a range of additional functionality, such as: Viewing details of your library account Submitting a request to hold a book for you Adding items to your e-bookshelf Saving searches Note that for NHS users logging in to Library Search does not give you access to full-text items. As an NHS member of staff you access online resources using your NHS OpenAthens username. Anatomy of a Library Card First let’s take a quick look at the most important components of your library card. Your library card and library card number give you access to print resources as well as library services. They confirm that you are a member of the library. Your name : this will be printed on your card, so you’ll know it’s yours! H

Need help with your literature search?

Do you need to answer a question? When you need an answer to a healthcare question you need to find out what information already exists about it ; s o that you have the background information and latest research . Whether it is for an assignment, dissertation, research, audit or other w ork you need to complete a literature search to get the latest information and best evidenc e to answer your question . Complete a literature search plan How do you start your literature search? Star t with a plan. Make a literature search plan to help you to focus your search, be systematic and keep a record in case you want to repeat it. How can the Health Library help you? Information Skills etutorials Develop your information searching skills by completing our short , enga ging etutorials . Read presentations, complete quizzes and watch videos to learn the essential skills to finding information efficiently and effectively. Start off with our Introduction to Literature Search

CASP Checklist – complete online and download

You can now complete the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) checklist online, then download and save it. Use the CASP checklists to help you to critically appraise different published research studies. You can now complete the form online, then download and save to your computer. Great for keeping a record of your critical appraisals and to add to your CPD or skills portfolio. screen-shot of an edited CASP checklist

Information Skills for Health

Search This Blog