Skip to main content

Resource of the week #6: Cochrane Library

What is it?
The Cochrane Library publishes analysis and reviews of research studies that look at the same problem. The aim is to combine research and develop a consensus view of the problem involved, based on the evidence.

The Cochrane Library also provides a database which allows you to complete searches against the systematic review collection as well as other collections. You can also browse through the topic list of systematic reviews.

Key Features
  • Systematic reviews are developed by completing systematic, detailed literature searches and critical appraisal to identify the relevant evidence.
  • Reviewers often perform meta-analysis to combine results.
  • Conclusions are drawn based on the overall evidence.
You can find details of the search within the full-text of the complete review.

Whilst reviews can be very detailed, technical and long, there is often a plain language summary.

How can it help you?
Cochrane Library systematic reviews can help you to:
  • Determine what the latest research about a topic says
  • Assess whether there is evidence already available for the topic you are looking at
  • Find existing articles on a topic, by checking the reference list
How to access it?
The Cochrane Library is freely available on the Internet. You can run searches and view the full-text of the Cochrane systematic reviews. However some of the articles returned via the search facility will not be available in full-text. You should check your Journal A-Z list to see if you have access.

Cochrane Library Video
What is a Cochrane Systematic Review?


eTutorial
Cochrane Library: Finding Systematic Reviews - here is an introduction to the Cochrane Library and demonstration of how to find a systematic review
Cochrane Library: Advanced Search - use the advanced search options to find systematic reviews and clinical trials

Did you know?
Cochrane produce a number of blogs, Evidently Cochrane, that discuss review findings and how they apply to practice.

More help?
Check our Cochrane Library help page for more help.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hot Topic! Endometriosis

 The news abounds with stories of late diagnosis of endometriosis such as this one on the BBC news site - 'I waited 30 years for my endometriosis diagnosis' . But what do you know about this debilitating condition? Check these resources for an overview, key points, diagnosis, treatment options, follow-up and more. [You will need your NHS OpenAthens username to access these resources] BMJ Best Practice – Endometriosis Clinical Key (available to UHNM only) – Endometriosis clinical overview Clinical Knowledge Summaries – Endometriosis Oxford Medicine Online – Pain in Women in Pain Management in Vulnerable Populations (2024) Patient Information Endometriosis – what is it? [bmj best practice] Uterine Tissue Growing Outside the Uterus (Endometriosis): What to Know [clinical key] Selected articles from our journal collection Hormonal treatment in endometriosis fails to prevent IL-6 increase and endometrium fibrosis but regulates levels of CYP17A, VEGF, and ...

Hot Topic! Sleep Apnoea

 The BBC reports A woman who has suffered with sleep apnoea for a decade is finally able to breathe and sleep again thanks to a new implant . What do you know about sleep apnoea? Check these resources for an overview, key points, diagnosis, treatment options, follow-up and more. [You will need your NHS OpenAthens username to access these resources] BMJ Best Practice – Obstructive sleep apnoea in adults Clinical Key (available to UHNM only) – Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children and Adolescents Clinical Knowledge Summaries – Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome Oxford Medicine Online – Oxford Handbook of Sleep Medicine Patient Information Sleep apnoea in adults (obstructive) [BMJ Best Practice] Breathing Problems While Sleeping (Sleep Apnea): What to Know [Clinical Key] Clinical Calculators Enhanced STOP-Bang screening questionnaire for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults [Clinical Key] Selected articles from our journal collection Hypoglossal nerve stimulation explantati...

Paediatric journal titles to support UHNM staff

 Here at the Health Library, we have extended our current awareness service to include journal table of contents updates straight to your inbox. UHNM staff working in paediatrics can stay up-to-date with the latest research and get the latest issue of your favourite paediatric journal title when it is published. Our paediatric titles include: Journal Of Pediatric Surgery Nursing Children And Young People Paediatrics And Child Health Pediatric Clinics Of North America Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Pediatrics Here are some example articles: Post-extraction management of esophageal button battery injuries in children: A scoping review of imaging, ICU admission, and NPO practices , Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Clinker, Christopher; Alvey, Brighton; Reynolds, Elizabeth; Wieck, Minna, Vol. 61 Issue 7, p. 163066, 2026. Damp and mould: improving the health and homes of children with asthma through NHS and local authority collabor...