Literature searching for Medicine and Health

The EBSCO platform includes several health and life science databases, as well as health economics:

This guide will demonstrate searching on the EBSCO platform using CINAHL Plus. The same techniques can be applied across other EBSCO-hosted databases, except for Medical Heading (MH) searching, which is unique to CINAHL.

Connect the search lines using Boolean logic.

• AND to focus the search to items about all the lines selected, not just one or other term on its own.
• OR to bring alternatives together in a broader set.
• In the Effective Search Techniques guide, see "Using Boolean and other search operators".
• The "Rockwell Shrock Boolean Machine" has a simple graphic. 

To access CINAHL Plus:

1. Go to FindIt@Bham and sign in (top right corner). 

2. Select Database A-Z at the top of the page. 

3. Type CINAHL into the search box and click the magnifying glass. 

4. Select CINAHL Plus from the list. 

5. Scroll down to Resource Available At, and click the link to open the database. 

Setting Up Your EBSCO Account allows users to save searches, results, and set up projects for ongoing research (optional but recommended): 

1. Click the profile icon at the top right of the screen. 

2. Register using your University of Birmingham email. 

There are two primary methods for searching the CINAHL database: using EBSCO’s ‘Natural Language Search’ option for a basic search, or conducting an advanced search.

The basic search with “Natural Language Search” employs AI to convert a plain question or topic into a keyword search, providing a set of results. This method is quick and straightforward, and it does not require knowledge of specialised search techniques. However, it does not display how the question was translated into separate search terms, nor does it allow for editing individual components of the search.

The advanced search option enables users to construct a search step-by-step, select individual keywords, and apply Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) as needed. This approach provides full control over the search process and allows users to document the exact search strategy, which may be necessary for certain assignments or projects, such as in a methods or methodology section. It does, however, require more time to learn and implement.

In summary, natural language searching functions like a sat nav: it guides users to their destination but does not reveal the route. Advanced searching is akin to reading a map: it requires more initial effort but provides greater understanding and control over the search process.

To run a basic search on CINAHL Plus:

1. On the homepage, type a research question into the search bar. For example: 
   Is oral hygiene affected by socioeconomic disadvantage in children? 

2. Select the Natural Language Search tab. 

3. Click the magnifying glass icon to search. 

4. To see how CINAHL processed the question, click Show refined query. Keywords are grouped into concepts connected by AND; alternative terms within a concept are connected by OR. 

5. Review the results, sorted by relevance (most relevant first). 

6. Click article titles to expand details like abstracts and access options. 

7. Apply filters (Peer reviewed, Date, Source type) from above the results or click All filters for full options. 

8. After selecting filters, click Apply. 

9. To save the search, go to Recent Activity (left menu), find your search, and click the bookmark icon. 

10. Access saved searches later from the Saved tab. 

Advanced searching on CINAHL Plus means that both Subject Headings (MH) and freetext terms can be used to form a comprehensive search. Subject Headings (MH) are standardised terms indexing articles. Freetext searches article content directly (title, abstract, full text).

The question “Is oral hygiene affected by socioeconomic disadvantage in children?” can be broken into three concepts: oral hygiene, socioeconomic disadvantage and children.

To conduct an advanced search:

1. Click Advanced Search to open detailed search options.

2. Enter 'oral hygiene' and click CINAHL Headings.

3. Select the best match for oral hygiene.

4. Check the scope note (definition).

5. Tick the box and click Explode to include subcategories.

6. Click Add to Search.

7. Add the freetext term “oral hygiene”, switch AND to OR, then click Search. This search has now been banked.

8. Clear the search by selecting Advanced Search and then Clear All.

9. Enter 'poverty' as a freetext term and select a suggested term.

10. Click Search.

11. Clear the search again.

12. Search CINAHL Headings for child, select the top result, and click Add to Search.

13. Add freetext alternatives, change AND to OR, then click Search.

14. Open Recent Activity (left menu) to access the three banked searches.

15. Tick searches S1, S2, and S3.

16. Click Combine Searches and select AND.

17. Run the combined search.

18. Use Quick Filters above results or All Filters for full options.

19. Apply filters such as English language or Past 5 years and click Apply.

20. Click article titles to view abstracts and access links.

21. Save searches using My Dashboard or Recent Activity with the bookmark icon.

There are multiple ways to export the results of a search.

Print List 

1. Select articles or leave unchecked for the whole page of results. 

2. Click Print or find it in the Share menu. 

3. Preview and print or save as PDF. 

Export to Excel 

1. Select articles. 

2. Click Export or Export/Save. 

3. Choose Excel or CSV format. 

4. Save file and open in spreadsheet software. 

Export as RIS (Reference Manager Format) 

1. Select articles. 

2. Click Export. 

3. Choose RIS format. 

4. Save the file. 

5. Import into reference managers (EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley, RefWorks).