This document summarizes a student's search of a library database and websites on the topic of medical marijuana. The database search on CINAHL yielded over 3,000 results, which the student filtered by adding keywords like "benefits" to find 40 more specific articles. Many articles had full text available or links to obtain it. The websites searched were WebMD and the New Jersey Department of Health website. These provided basic information on medical marijuana but lacked references and credentials compared to peer-reviewed database sources. The student concluded the database search would provide more valid information for an upcoming brochure.

1. Running head: Database And Website Search 1
Library Database and Website Search on Medical Marijuana
NURS509- Health Informatics
Monmouth University
Kaitlyn Zupanc

2. Database And Website Search 2
Library Database and Website Search on Medical Marijuana

3. Database And Website Search 3
Database Search
Searching through a database such as CINAHL for information on medical marijuana
yielded many results, a little over 3,000 to be exact. Some of which would be beneficial to the
research needed for upcoming projects. Sifting through the literature takes time to see what
articles can be of help to support your work. Unfortunately, when there are over 3000 results it
makes it difficult to read them all.
The first search done with the one word “marijuana” came back with the broadest results.
By adding the word “benefits” it limited the results to 40, but was more specific as to finding out
positive effects of marijuana use in treating certain diseases or disorders. When using modifiers
with the main search term it helps “weed” through the literature and can narrow your search to a
more specific area of the topic.
Many of the articles, like Kellog (2014) had the full text available to click on and open.
In Murphy (2014) there was a lot of pertinent information and unfortunately the database didn’t
have the full text listed. Clicking on the title linked to the abstract with other information about
the article’s source and citation. At the bottom of the page there was a DOI link to click on,
which opens another page with the option of the full text for the article. If that didn’t work there
were also links to check other databases within the library system and an email address to reach
the librarian for further questions.
The articles that resulted from the search will be valuable for the upcoming brochure. I
will be able to use numerous articles from this database search to support my brochure. This
way the information on the brochure will be accurate, informative and current with the articles
being written recently.

4. Database And Website Search 4
Website Search
The two different websites used for researching the topic medical marijuana were
“WebMD” and “The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH).” They were found by using
“Google” and “MSN” search engines. There was some helpful information on medical marijuana
use, like learning how people in NJ can go about becoming a registered patient for the Medical
Marijuana Program (MMP). Also on the state website it had specific information about the
guidelines and criteria to follow for seeking registration in the MMP. WebMD also had some
facts of medicinal marijuana use and on the website it was broken down into categories of why
and how its used, side effects, and risks and limitations.
The information on the two websites searched was definitely relevant to my topic, but
when assessing the sites based on the five criteria, they fell short in comparison to using the
database to search. While I couldn’t find any information that seemed inaccurate on WebMD’s
site there weren’t any obvious references listed on the page. It wasn’t until I searched at the
bottom of the webpage and found a small link to the references. Some of the references were
from scholarly journals like Journal of Supportive Oncology. There was a listed author on
WebMD but there was no credentials listed after her name. It did state that a physician reviewed
the webpage, but it looked like the last review was in 2013. The purpose or goal of WebMD is to
give simple information to inform the reader about the topic of choice, which I believe it does.
This webpage was last reviewed in 2013 making it fairly current. There was no cost to read the
information on WebMD, but there were at least three advertisements surrounding the webpage.
The New Jersey State Department of Health website had more authority than WebMD
due to the fact it is a state website. There was contact information for the department of health.
The information seemed accurate to me, but there was no references listed and interestingly

5. Database And Website Search 5
enough on both websites there was a link for a legal statement explaining that they try to make
everything accurate and current, but that they can’t guarantee that everything is. The goal or
purpose of the NJDOH website was to inform the community of the MMP and to give
instructions on who qualifies for the program. The state website is current and updated in 2015.
There is no payment needed to have access to the NJDOH website.
I feel I will be more inclined to use the database search for the upcoming brochure given
the information has been peer reviewed unlike the websites. While using websites as references
the five criteria assessment is imperative to ensure the validity and strength of the information
gained and possibly used in papers, projects, etc.

6. Database And Website Search 6
References
Kellogg, S. (2014). Why society should consider medical marijuana. Addiction Professional,
12(5), 26-30. Retrieved from
http://bluehawk.monmouth.edu:2867/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=36d30bcd-29f6-
44ed-83f4-a00d4351346c%40sessionmgr115&vid=15&hid=106
Murphy, K. (2014). The growing trend of medical marijuana. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy,
12(5), 30-39. doi:10.1097/01.NME.0000452683.33224.92