NURS 4205V: Nursing Theory and Research, Honors

slides from class: z.umn.edu/N4205V

search map tool: z.umn.edu/searchmapBSN

This presentation covers the fundamentals of forming your question, how searches work which helps you understand why you get the results you do, and an intro to searching Ovid Medline. It's wrapped in sweet sweet librarian magic to help make your project the best ever.

Librarian tricks in Ovid Medline

• A keyword search looks for your exact word or phrase as used by the author in the title, abstract, or other data attached to the record (subject heading words, author keywords, etc.). It does not see into the full text of the article.
• With a keyword search, think first about possible different endings (plurals, other variants). The * at the end of a stem will pick up any variations after the symbol.
  •  Example: breastfeeding gets only that exact term, breastfe* gets breastfeeding, breastfeed, breastfeeds, or breastfed
• Ovid does automatic phrase searching (words are searched as a phrase without you needing to type them in quotes)
  • Example: neonatal abstinence syndrome
• Use parentheses for grouping. Codes attached to the end of parentheses will apply to the whole group.
  • Example: ((neonat* or newborn*) adj5 (feeding or breastfeeding)).mp
• Codes and logic can nest and combine, with few exceptions. Pay attention to the logic and it will usually work.
  • (((older adult* or elder* or geriatric* or senior*).ti or (nursing home* or care home*).mp) and music.ti)
• You cannot front-truncate a term. Search multiple terms if there are prefix variations to account for.
  • Example: (quadripleg* or parapleg* or hemipleg*)

Keyword codes in Ovid Medline

Zotero Guides
Documentation on getting started with and using the features of Zotero.

If you're having a hard time, ask for help!  Librarians can make your life much easier.