The CINAHL DatabasesAdvanced Searching Tutorial

Tutorial

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In this tutorial, you will learn how to perform an Advanced search using the CINAHL databases, as well as how to combine multiple searches using the Search History feature.

We begin by searching for catheters, selecting the Full Text limiter. Enter the term in the search box, select your limiters, and click Search.

This search can be further modified by using the Limiters available in the left column under Limit To. Click the Search History link to view the search in the Search History/Alerts window. In this search,

we want to restrict our results to catheter infections in the urinary tract.

We click on New Search to clear our Search screen as well as any limiters we may have selected, so we can create a new search on hemodialysis. After completing the new search, we will combine it

with our search of Catheters using the Search History. Enter hemodialysis in the search box, check the Full Text limiter, and click Search.

The search is added to the Search History. The next step is to combine this search statement with search statement S1, which is the full text search on Catheters. To combine the searches, check the box to the left of each search and select a button to combine the searches. We’ll click Search

with AND for results which contain both search terms. Note, if your search box has not been cleared automatically, remove your previous search terms prior to clicking Search with AND.

The result list is refreshed to reflect the combined search and the new search is added to your Search History.

This search can be further refined by selecting limiters from the Limit To section on the left. The Show More link provides additional limiters which can further refine your search.

Limiters may include Research Article, Evidence-Based Practice, and Age Groups. After selecting any desired limiters, click Search.

The result list is displayed. Note the Options set indicator, which reflects that limiters have been selected.

The Search History reflects all of our search statements and each search statement provides the terms and limiters applied, as well as the number of results retrieved. Click the Edit link on any line of

your search history to modify the search terms, limiters, and expanders. This is useful when further modification of the search statement is needed.

Searching for subject terms can also be useful. The CINAHL Editorial staff has assigned subject terms based on article content, allowing you to create a targeted search. When you click the Suggest Subject

Terms box above the search box prior to conducting a search, your terms are searched against the CINAHL Headings authority. From there, you can select headings and subheadings to refine your

search.

You can also click on the CINAHL Headings link along the top toolbar to browse for appropriate subject terms. For more information on searching using subject headings, see the “Using

CINAHL/MeSH Headings” tutorial on the EBSCO Support Site. The ability to search CINAHL Headings is available in all of the CINAHL databases.

When you are searching the CINAHL Plus databases or CINAHL Complete, you can click on the Evidence-Based Care Sheets link in the top toolbar or Quick Lessons under the More link to view a list of all available topics. Simply check the box in front of any item on the list and click on the Search

button.

The document is displayed in the result list. Click the PDF Full Text link to view the Quick Lesson or Evidence-Based Care Sheet. To access the CINAHL Continuing Education Unit Modules, click the CE

Module link and follow the directions to enroll with CINAHL.

At any time, click on the Help link to view the complete online help system.