Databases and Searching

The CMS Virtual Library is an online resource designed specifically to support the information needs of CMS staff. This class will provide an overview of the CMS Virtual Library services and information resources.

Embase is a biomedical and pharmacological database covering international literature from 1947 to present. Embase includes citations and unique indexing for drugs not found in PubMed. This advanced training session will focus on using Embase for general literature searching, and will cover how to use the database’s embedded tools to design advanced queries for systematic reviews and adverse drug reactions.

PubMed comprises tens of millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites. This class introduces advanced PubMed features that allow for focused searches. Participants will learn how to personalize PubMed using My NCBI, use internal PubMed vocabulary lists (MeSH) to create more efficient search strategies, truncation use, and searching with Boolean operators.

Animal models are used to study the development and progression of diseases and to test new treatments. Model organisms are a subset of research organisms that serve as a proxy for understanding human biology. This introductory class will cover techniques on locating biomedical research articles, patents, NIH-funded research projects, genetic information, and print and electronic books related to animal models and model organisms.

This class will give you an in-depth look at tools for evidence-based clinical information.  Explore our available resources and learn search tips for DynaMed (clinical decision support tool), Access Medicine (decision making tool), Cochrane (evidence to inform healthcare decisions), EBMcal (clinical criteria sets and decision tree analysis tools), and PubMed shortcuts to evidence based clinical information.

This class will show participants how to effectively search for nursing and allied health evidence-based information using PubMed and CINAHL databases. Class objectives: learn how to develop evidence-based search strategies using keywords and database subject headings; acquire tips to use limits in your search; and locate the full-text of articles identified in searches.

Cochrane Library is a collection of databases with high-quality systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials and clinical answers. It offers simultaneous search of variety of resources to provide independent evidence to inform healthcare professionals in their decision making. This class will introduce the variety of resources offered by Cochrane Library, how to search them, and the key features of the search platform.

Join Technical Information Specialists from the National Agricultural Library’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) to learn how to conduct a literature search for animal use alternatives using bibliographic databases.

Have you questioned why there is more than one database available through the NIH Library? Not sure which database best addresses your needs? This webinar provides an overview and an in-depth description and comparison of the major databases available to NIH researchers, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus.  Join this class which will outline the strengths and provide a comparison of the databases. By the end of the class, you will have a better understanding of the databases, and when and how to use them.

This class will explore best practices for planning and conducting literature searches. The topics and tips introduced in this session are intended to support general literature searching practices that participants can use to conduct more effective searches, regardless of database used. This class will address the importance of the literature search, introduce a basic framework to help develop search strategies, discuss how to connect concepts and use other search helpers in your strategies, and explore resources and tools that support good literature searching practices. 

Preprints are increasingly a popular means of information dissemination in research. This is seen currently with preprints being used as a key resource for COVID-19 information. However, not all preprints are of equal value nor appropriate for all projects. Participants will gain skills to identify the strengths and weaknesses of preprints and learn ways to search for preprints.

This class will provide an overview of research resource identifiers (RRIDs), persistent identifiers for key biological resources. The class will cover where RRIDs are currently used, where to get usage data, and experiences in successfully implementing culture change toward more transparent manuscripts. 

This course will present a brief overview of the scope and features of clinical/biomedical research information resources, including: PubMed; Embase; evidence-based and clinical trials databases; other information resources of value in high-impact clinical care; and opportunities to obtain additional detailed information and specific training. 

This class will explore the basic functions and best practices for searching in Embase. The class will provide an overview of using the quick, advanced, PICO, PV Wizard, Medical Device and Drug search options. In addition, it will cover the Emtree searching taxonomy, saving search results, and setting up alerts. Attendees should come prepared with a basic search topic to actively search in Embase throughout the session. 

PubMed comprises tens of millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites. This hands-on introductory class will provide a journey into this valuable resource providing participants with an overview of its content, tools, and features. The session will cover steps to conduct a search, access full-text articles, and export results to a bibliographic management software such as EndNote.

Scopus is a comprehensive abstract and citation database that includes tens of millions of records from journals, books, and conference proceedings. It contains hundreds of thousands of books and peer-reviewed articles, and millions of conference papers. This introductory session will provide a hands-on tutorial providing participants with skills to search for publications, conduct author and affiliation searches, create alerts, view citation counts and export results to a bibliographic management software such as EndNote.

This webinar provides an overview of taxonomies, including the origins of taxonomies, where they are used in everyday life, and why they are important. The overview will present existing taxonomies in multiple areas and subjects (science, art, biology, medicine, industry, and news). The participants will learn about the importance of organizing their files and data and basic best practices for taxonomy building.

Explore the New Web of Science interface with a refreshed look, enhanced workflow tools, faster page loads and more. Web of Science is a database providing access to billions of cited references, dating back to 1900 in the areas of life sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. This session provides a tutorial in using Web of Science, developing and executing searches on topics and citations, and managing results. 

Conducting a systematic review can be time consuming and challenging. This class provides an overview of the different steps in the comprehensive process of conducting a systematic review. At the completion of the class, participants will be able to identify each step of the systematic review process and know where to access valuable resources.

UpToDate is an evidence-based clinical resource which includes collections of medical and patient education information, access to Lexi-Comp drug monographs, and a variety of medical calculators. It is the only clinical decision support resource associated with improved outcomes. Its primary purpose is to help physicians quickly locate information to answer their questions. This introductory session will demonstrate the major features of the database and will provide a hands-on tutorial on how to search by disease, symptom, lab abnormality, drug, or procedure.

Web of Science is a database providing access to billions of cited references, dating back to 1900 in the areas of life sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Reference materials include journals, books, reports, and conference papers. This introductory hands-on class provides a tutorial in using Web of Science, developing and executing searches on topics and citations, and managing results. Participants will also learn how to access citation information.

Researchers today face an almost overwhelming flood of scientific literature in various formats. How does one keep up? There are resources that can help filter and organize the information. This workshop will provide a close look at (1) a database of recommended biomedical research article (Faculty of 1000 (F1000); (2) citation tracking (Scopus and PLOS); (3) customized database alerts (NLM My NCBI); journal reading and table of content apps (BrowZine); and (4) social media tools (Twitter). Information focused on your interests will be readily available.

This class will provide an overview of NIH Library services and information resources for HHS staff. By the end of this class, participants will be able to demonstrate how to access/login to the NIH Library online; describe available information resources for HHS staff; describe how to access online journals and access full text articles and access/search databases; demonstrate how to order articles and other documents; and discuss additional services available for HHS staff including manuscript preparation, document editing, and literature searching.