This presentation provides an overview of how to search the OTseeker database. OTseeker is a free database containing abstracts of systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials relevant to occupational therapy interventions. It can be accessed through the La Trobe University Library website or directly at www.otseeker.com. The presentation outlines tips for conducting effective searches in OTseeker using keywords, Boolean operators, phrase searching and truncation. An example search is demonstrated and results are shown. Information is also provided on critically appraising trials in OTseeker using the PEDro scale and locating full text.

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Title of presentation
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How to search OTseeker
La Trobe University Library

2. 2La Trobe University
OTseeker
• A free database containing abstracts of systematic
reviews and randomised controlled trials relevant to
occupational therapy interventions
• Most trials (published prior to July 2013) have been rated
for quality using the PEDro scale (partitioned)
• OTseeker is maintained by occupational therapists from
the University of Queensland and the University of
Sydney

3. 3La Trobe University
How to Access
• latrobe.edu.au/library
• Select ‘OTseeker’ from the A-Z list, or from the drop-down menu under
Health Sciences choose Occupational Therapy
• OTseeker is also freely available on the internet at: www.otseeker.com

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Search Tips
• Use Advanced Search
• In keyword search, if more than one word is entered OTseeker will
search for articles that contain all of the words, e.g. occupational
therapy will return articles that contain the words occupational AND
therapy
• Use the AND, NOT, OR operators to combine terms. Use round
brackets ( ) to group search criteria, e.g. pain AND (arm OR leg)
• To search for an exact phrase put the terms in quotes, e.g.
“occupational therapy”
• Use * to search for variations of a word, e.g. splint* will search for
splint, splinter, splints and splinting
• You can search using your own keywords and/or options that have
their own drop-down lists

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Search Tips
• Further search tips are available on the OTseeker website
www.otseeker.com
• For guidance on categories used in the drop-down search
boxes, see www.otseeker.com/Info/inthelp.aspx

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Example
Are parent training interventions
effective in managing behaviour in
children with Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder?

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Searching OTseeker using Advanced Search

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Results

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PEDro scale (partitioned)
Most trials published prior to July 2013 have been critically appraised using the
PEDro scale (partitioned) for their internal validity (risk of bias) and statistical
reporting (interpretability):
See www.otseeker.com for further information

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Locating the full text
• You may be able to locate the full text from the link to the
abstract
• Or search for the title of the journal through the library website

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Help
• Systematic Review library guide:
latrobe.libguides.com/systematicreviews
→ (See ‘Finding Systematic Reviews’ tab for other
databases that contain systematic reviews)
• Health Databases library guide:
latrobe.libguides.com/healthdatabases
• Chat online to library staff: latrobe.edu.au/chat/
• Ask La Trobe: latrobe.edu.au/ask-us