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Lesson 6
Searching Databases for Evidence©
Barbara B. Pieper, PhD, RN
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
The learner will be able to describe the steps in conducting a database search for EBP
OVERVIEW
One of the first activities you’ll have to undertake to find good evidence is to search the literature to find what kind of information has been published. Because of the rapid growth of knowledge, textbooks are not the best source of the most current information. You will need to look at scientific journals, and other peer-reviewed sources. Finding current information involves searching databases and you may be working with your medical librarian. Finding the right databases for your search and using their search language is critical to success. This can be very sophisticated process, start small, and practice!
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Two examples of electronic databases you may be familiar with are: CINAHL (studies in nursing, allied health), and MEDLINE (nursing, medicine, veterinary and allied health). MEDLINE is produced by the National Library of Medicine and is available free of charge through PubMed search engine. (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?DB=pubmed) Databases like CINAHL require an institutional subscription. There are hundreds more databases which offer specialty information, so it‘s important to work with your librarian.
The Cochrane Database (http://www.cochrane.org/resources/brochure.htm) is a sophisticated database (subscription), and contains systematic reviews prepared by review teams as well as protocols in development.
Another important database to search is the National Guidelines Clearinghouse (http: //www. guideline.gov). This is supported by the government’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (http://www.ahrq.gov/). This source houses practice guidelines based on rigorous scientific evidence as well as expert opinion. It also contains PDA downloads to assist with on the spot decision-making.
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You can do your search systematically, and listed below are the steps to follow:
- Take your PICO question (Lesson 5) to your organization’s librarian.
- The terms used in the PICO question become the terms you will use in your search. Use your search term(s) and enter them into the database. For example: your population may be adolescents, or older adults; these are considered searchable terms. Similarly, interventions such as health education or fall prevention would also be searchable terms. You may want to combine your search terms if, in your search, you come up with too many articles and need to narrow your search.
- Find the right databases for you and know its language. Work with your librarian for this, and talk with your mentor to find out what databases they use. When searching, it is recommended you use more than one database.
- If too many sources appear, narrow your search by combining terms. Adding the study design you are looking for can further narrow the search e.g. randomized controlled trials (RCT).
- If too few sources appear, broaden your terms (e.g. from elderly, to adults).
- Develop a master list of citations, then screen the list for relevance, and retrieve article abstracts.
- After reviewing the article abstracts, select the ones that meet your criteria and go on to retrieve the full text of the articles.
Lastly, in addition to database searches, checkout the “grey literature”, that is, conference proceedings and dissertations. Their information may be more current than RTC’s which can take up to 3 years to complete!
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