Skip to main content

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

Popular posts from this blog

Install the Ebsco App for quick access to articles

 NHS staff can get quick access to articles from your NHS resources via the Ebsco mobile app. This app gives you access to a simplified version of the NHS Knowledge & Library Hub. Great features include: Simple search across multiple NHS resources Read articles and some ebooks Listen to text whilst on the go Bookmark links to articles Share articles with your colleagues To install the App Search your store for Ebsco Mobile Download and install the app To log in first select "Access with your institution" – search for your institution name. Check which institution name you need  from our web page Enter your NHS OpenAthens username / password. You will now be logged in. You can start a search, browse recently viewed content, link to full-text, bookmark content and share content. Watch the video tutorial from Ebsco for a quick demonstration of the app. Remember to log in as above.

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Evidence Updates

The following updates from NIHR Evidence are now available: Summaries (published since 13 February 2025): What impact does hearing loss have on dementia risk? Children in deprived areas are most at risk of avoidable poisoning by medicines COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy reduces risks to mother and baby Which drugs are best for migraine attacks? Adult social care: how to improve support for people at risk through homelessness, learning disabilities or dementia Vaping is linked with breathing issues in young people Culturally-adapted therapy improved postnatal depression in British South Asian women Hospital at home and virtual wards: What works? Population-level policies on risk factors for dementia could reduce costs

Resource of the week #15: NICE Pathways

What is it? NICE Pathways are interactive flowcharts for topics and conditions Key Features You can use the main search box to look for your topic, or use the A-Z list to find a particular condition. You can also view broader topics and drill-down to individual flowcharts. Flowcharts include points of decision-making as a patient travels along the pathway or route to assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Each decision-box includes information and evidence detailing what should be carried out. How can it help you? The NICE Pathways tool can provide you with guidance and advice on topics and conditions. It can help you to assess your own services and apply NICE guidance and recommendations. How to access it? NICE Pathways are freely available on the Internet. Video Help Watch the video produced by NICE – How to use NICE Pathways – to learn more about how to navigate and find information.