Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Start your research early!
2. Start by identifying 2-3 key concepts from your PICO question. PICO questions are very detailed and having too many concepts can work against you.
3. Brainstorm additional related terms, keywords, broader/narrower terms for each concept.
4. Write everything down! This will save you time! You won't have to start from scratch each time you to to search. This includes the name(s) of database(s), search terms, and limiters.
5. Not one single database will have everyting in it. To do comprehensive research you will have to search more than 1 database.
6. Don't ignore something simply because the library does not have the fulltext. Request items through our free Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service.
7. Still stuck? Schedule a research appointment with our Health Care Professions Librarian.
Think broadly and abstractly! Pro tip: Get in the habit of writing your terms down
Construct search by combining concepts with Boolean operators. Use keywords and subject terms in combination.
Boolean Operators:
AND | limits results, both concepts | myocardial infarction AND diabetes |
OR | expands results, either concept | myocardial infarction OR heart attack |
NOT | excludes concept(s) from results | diabetes NOT gestational |
Here are a few databases that librarians recommend you use when starting your research. For a full listing of Trexler Library databases click here.
Tailor Search Strategy to the Database
When doing a search there are different way you can narrow down your search results using limiters.
Can't find the full text of an article you need?
Use our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service to request materials. Interlibrary Loan is a free service for our faculty, staff, and students through which materials not owned by Trexler library may be requested from other libraries. A PDF of the full text will be delivered to your DeSales email. Please allow enough time between request date and need by date for processing of the request - both on the part of Trexler as well as the eventual lending library.