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Nursing

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Page contains:

  • information on general search techniques: keyword vs subject searching
  • instructions on using Boolean operators
  • tips for narrowing and broadening a search
  • link to database and resource Help Research Guide

Searching Methods

1. Keyword Searching:

  • This is a good place to start. Databases search for your search terms in specific search fields of the reference record (e.g. title, abstract, author supplied keywords, journal title, etc.)

  • Determine alternative terms, names, or synonyms for these concepts, as needed

2. Subject Searching (aka descriptors in some databases)

  • offers a more focused search
  • searches for search terms in the subject field only
  • uses the standardized subject terms of the database you are using
    • Check CINAHL Headings, MeSH (for PubMed) or the thesaurus in the database you are using to locate correct terminology

CINAHL Headings                 MeSH database link in PubMed

Using Boolean Operators

OR

  • Use OR to indicate either of the terms should be included in the results. Use OR between synonyms or related terms
  • e.g. a search for sweat OR perspire would result in
    • articles that mention the word sweat but may not include the word perspire
    • any articles that include the word perspire but may not include the word sweat
    • articles that include both the word sweat and the word perspire

Boolean OR image

AND

  • Use AND to indicate that all of the search terms must be present in an article
  • Great way to get more focused results
    • e.g. searching for handwashing AND infection means that articles must contain the word handwashing and the word infection to show up in the results
      • For example, if the circle on the left represents articles containing the word handwashing, and the circle on the right includes articles containing the word infection, the red area shows the results for a search for handwashing AND infection

Boolean AND venn diagram

 NOT

  • Use NOT to exclude articles with a different meaning or an unwanted concept
  • For example, if you want articles on burnout in the health professions and the results include too many articles on burnout during Covid, you can choose to exclude Covid from the results.
    • e.g. Burnout NOT Covid

                                                                       Boolean NOT venn diagram

 

Nesting:

  • Multiple Boolean operators can be used in a search. By using parentheses, you can “nest” terms together to build a search strategy.  
  • Parentheses dictates the order in which the database processes the search terms (just like an algebraic equation).  Information within parentheses is processed first, then information outside parentheses is processed.  
  • Every opening parenthesis must have a closing parenthesis
    • e.g. (exercise OR physical activity OR yoga) AND migraine
    • e.g. (sweat OR perspiration) AND fluid replacement
    • e.g Handwashing AND (infection AND (prevention OR control))

Search Results: 1 -1  of 1

Not enough (or any) articles on your topic? 

Here are some tips to find more results:

  • Check spelling, make sure search terms are spelled correctly
  • Use synonyms or related words for your concepts
    • e.g. ethics OR morals OR principles
  • Search for broader, less-specific terms
    • e.g. consider health care personnel rather than the more specific nurses
  • Expand date range if possible

Search Results 1-10 of 1,252,823

Too many results?  Or results not focused on your topic?

  • Try a subject search instead of a keyword search
  • Limit your keyword search to the abstract or title fields
  • Try Phrase searching (see above)
  • Add terms to your search using the Boolean "AND" operator
  • Try narrowing dates of publication

Additional Nursing and Health Sciences Databases

Visit the Help: Databases and Other Library Resources Research Guide