Introduction
The following videos appeared in the Creating Research Questions and Searching and Introducing the 6S Pyramid modules you were asked to complete by your instructor. They are posted here for your future reference.
Developing your Research Questions Using PICO/PS
A transcript of this video is available for your reference.
From PICO/PS to your Search
A transcript of this video is available for your reference.
Key Tips Recap
- Focus on intervention/exposure and outcome terms (“flu shot” AND “miscarriage”)
- Add comparison terms if relevant (“flu shot” vs. “no flu shot”)
- Include population only when necessary (use an age filter instead for “teenagers”)
- Avoid redundancy such as when some terms already imply others (ie “miscarriage” already implies pregnancy)
- Use limits strategically (ie: filter by age group, publication type, or study design)
- Brainstorm synonyms and check for spelling variations (“cesarean” OR “caesarean”)
Choosing the Right Tool
A transcript of this video is available for your reference.
EBSCO has an updated search screen. Check out this short EBSCO tutorial for using the CINAHL/MeSH headings feature.
Advanced Searching in Medline and CINAHL
A transcript of this video is available for your reference.
Choose the right database
• Medline/PubMed = broad health
• CINAHL = nursing/allied health
• Medline/PubMed = broad health
• CINAHL = nursing/allied health
Use subject headings
• Official terms (e.g., Influenza Vaccines)
• Check Scope Note
• Use Explode for subheadings
• Official terms (e.g., Influenza Vaccines)
• Check Scope Note
• Use Explode for subheadings
Combine headings + keywords
• Catch new, untagged articles
• Example: Influenza Vaccines [MeSH] OR “influenza vaccine”
• Catch new, untagged articles
• Example: Influenza Vaccines [MeSH] OR “influenza vaccine”
Watch vocabulary
• Headings differ by database
• Include older terms (e.g., STD + STI)
• Headings differ by database
• Include older terms (e.g., STD + STI)
Use limits wisely
• Apply when meaningful (children, elderly)
• Avoid overly broad ones (e.g., “adults”)
• Apply when meaningful (children, elderly)
• Avoid overly broad ones (e.g., “adults”)
Clinical Queries filters
• Narrow by study type
• Best Balance = good middle ground
• Narrow by study type
• Best Balance = good middle ground
Mix methods
• Headings = precise
• Keywords = broad
• Together = balanced
• Headings = precise
• Keywords = broad
• Together = balanced
What about PubMed?
A transcript of this video is available for your reference.
The 6S Evidence Pyramid and Choosing the Right Search Tool for your Search
A transcript of this video is available for your reference.
