Finding Free Full-text Articles in The National Library of Medicine’s PUBMED Database Mark D. Puterbaugh Information Services Librarian Eastern University, Warner Memorial Library, St. Davids, PA [email_address]

Pubmed is a search engine provided by the National Library of Medicine. It includes the bibliographic database Medline. “ MEDLINE is the NLM's premier bibliographic database that contains references to journal articles in the life sciences with a concentration on biomedicine. A distinctive feature of MEDLINE is that the records are indexed with NLM's Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). The database contains citations from 1950 to the present , with some older material. “ ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query/static/overview.html#Introduction ) While primarily a citations resource, searches in PubMed can be limited to locate full-text articles from publications freely available in the National Library of Medicines’ PubMed Central journal archive.

PubMed can be searched at http://www.pubmed.gov/ The initial screen presents a simple Search Box. You can type in topic then press GO.

The search found citations for over 2400 articles. Pubmed Central holds full-text to 10 articles on the results lists. Select this link to view a results list of full-text articles.

From the results list select the Free article in PMC link.

The article citation and abstract (if available) screen appears. Following the “free article in PMC” link returns a informational page. To bring up the article from PubMed Central select the button.

Once at PubMed Central there may be a variety of ways to access the article, including PDF images.

Pros & Cons Pros The articles are from professional or peer-reviewed publications. This method can provide the searcher with immediate access to full-text articles. Cons This search eliminates many important articles found in PubMed. Leaves the researcher dependent on a small sampling of relevant resources. This can be frustrating. While the list of full-text publications found in PubMed Central is growing, the set is small compared to the vast amount of literature produced. Consult with a librarian, they can help you find further resources for your research.

Pros & Cons

Pros

The articles are from professional or peer-reviewed publications.

This method can provide the searcher with immediate access to full-text articles.

Cons

This search eliminates many important articles found in PubMed.

Leaves the researcher dependent on a small sampling of relevant resources. This can be frustrating.

While the list of full-text publications found in PubMed Central is growing, the set is small compared to the vast amount of literature produced.