This document provides an overview of searching strategies and resources for conducting research. It discusses browsing vs searching, using PICO to plan searches, identifying keywords, and tips for getting the most out of databases. Specific databases are mentioned for finding guidelines, evidence-based research, management information, and more. Deep web searching and tools are covered as well as sources for patient information, statistics, grey literature, and national repositories. Social media and security/privacy options are briefly outlined. The document encourages asking librarians for assistance with searches.

1. “Library Elevenses”
“…... And if the community is
hungry for more than just
knowledge, then maybe it’s about
time to open a snack bar.”
― Scott Douglas

2. Searching – the basics
• Browsing/surfing – serendipity
• Searching – plan ahead
– Use PICO (Population or Patient; Intervention;
Comparative intervention; Outcome)
– Identify key concepts
– Keywords/synonyms

4. PubMed PubReminer:
http://hgserver2.amc.nl/cgi-bin/miner/miner2.cgi

6. What type of information?
• Guidelines: use NICE, SIGN, TRIP, National
Clearinghouse, G.I.N., Associations/ Organisations
• Diagnosis: point-of-care tool e.g. UpToDate;
OvidMD
• Evidence-based research: Cochrane Library,
PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, PeDRO, Embase,
PsycINFO, TRIP, Scopus, Scirus etc
• Management/Governance: Emerald
Management Plus
• Care measurement tools: HaPI (Health and
Psychosocial Instruments)

7. Get the most from databases
• Controlled language: MeSH (PubMed), CINAHL
Subject Heading, Emtree (Embase).
– know any limitations
• “pearl gathering”, “snowballing” & “forward
tracking”
• Customisation and personalisation features
– Save searches/create alerts, collections, filters etc

9. “Deep Web”searching
You never get access
to the full extent of
the web, e.g.
- Paywall protected
content
- Confidential data
e.g. Patient
records
Image:
inventionmachine.com

10. Searching the Deep Web
Topic-specific databases:
• http://aip.completeplanet.com
• http://infomine.ucr.edu/
• http://directsearch.net/
• http://scienceresearch.com/scienceresearch/a
dvancedsearch.html

14. Statistics/calculations/data analysis & comparisons:
http://www.wolframalpha.com

15. Other tools
Metasearch:
• http://www.polymeta.com/
• http://www.webcrawler.com/
• http://www.dogpile.com/
• http://mednar.com/mednar/
Grey Literature:
• http://www.opengrey.eu/
National/Institutional Repositories:
• http://www.lenus.ie (Irish healthcare)
• http://www.opendoar.org/ (directory of open access
repositories)

16. Web Archives: http://archive.org/index.php

18. Other resources
• http://www.cdc.gov/datastatistics/ (tracking
epidemics)
• http://clinicaltrials.gov/
• http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/NIHR_PROSPERO/
• http://findzebra.compute.dtu.dk/

21. Patient Information Sources
• UpToDate:
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/table-of-contents/patient-information
• CINAHL: Evidence-based care sheets to assist
healthcare staff when discussing condition
with patients.
• HONcode:
http://www.hon.ch/HONcode/Search/search.html

22. UpToDate – patient info

25. Ref:
http://www.theonion.com

26. Google extra
Google custom search: http://www.google.com/cse/
http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=009086512
607993835352%3Ao0xi0hcchga
This icon appears after you
have completed a search

29. Click here for
advanced
scholar search

30. Security/Privacy
• https://duckduckgo.com/
• https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
• http://fixtracking.com/ - a guide to privacy
when searching (Firefox)

31. Social Media
You choose what information comes to you. Be
very selective – regular culling required.
• Follow max. 25 on Twitter. Separate Twitter
work account.
• Blogtrottr/feedly/netvibes
• http://scienceroll.com/about/
• http://www.slideshare.net
• http://www.netvibes.com/keeping-up-to-
date#Specialist_Bulletins

32. Ignore
this

34. Ask a Librarian
“Librarians like to search while
others like to find” (Roy Tennant)
…we do like to find too.
Contact:
Library.svh@ucd.ie
Anne.madden@ucd.ie
Niamh.lucey@ucd.ie