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tOOLS for nursing research - Finding the Evidence
How to find:
- Journal Articles
- Reviews of the Evidence - Point of Care Resources
- Practice Guidelines
- Additional Evidence Based Resources on the Internet (under development)
- Information about Writing & Citing
How to Find: Journal Articles -- Search an Online Database
When you have a topic in mind, but not the specific titles of the articles, you can find information in an online database. Databases are useful for comprehensive research, or to find one or two articles when the review tools don't cover the topic of your research. A few things to keep in mind:
- Not all databases include the full text of the articles you'll find. Many give only the citation (author, title, journal, publication date) and abstract.
- Look for the "Find Text" button to navigate to the full text, either electronic or in print.
- Each database has unique properties and features -- so searching techniques vary. If you need help Ask A Librarian.
- Databases include many types of articles: research, review, case studies, opinion. You can generally limit your search to research articles -- also by year, language, etc.
- Yes, you can find links to journal articles in Google and other Internet search engines -- but because these resources are not specifically designed for finding health care information, you might miss a lot if you rely only on them.
Online Databases Available through Williams Health Sciences Library
CINAHL
A comprehensive guide to the nursing literature, CINAHL is primarily a bibliographic database
providing abstracts and citations to journal literature. Links to full text articles are provided when available. It also includes selected original and full text publications such as standards of
practice, government documents, patient
education materials, etc.
PUBMED@UR/OVID MEDLINE
The National Library of Medicine’s premier bibliographic database providing abstracts and citations to the biomedical and nursing journal literature. Links to full text articles are provided when available. Access the MEDLINE database through Ovid MEDLINE or PubMed@UR.
PSYCINFO
Abstracts and citations to the literature in the psychological, social, behavioral, and health sciences. Links to full text articles are provided when available.
How to Find: Reviews of the Evidence - Point of Care Resources
Reviews of the evidence summarize and evaluate the research on a topic to make it easier for busy clinicians to find evidence based answers to clinical questions at the point of care.
- The most common and well-known evidence reviews are focused on medical practice
- Nursing "reviews of the evidence" are growing, but their content is still limited. It is unlikely that you will find evidence-based recommendations for all patient problems.
Reviews of the Evidence Available through Williams Health Sciences Library
NURSING CONSULT
A comprehensive online resource including a collection of evidence-based
monographs—concise overviews of common clinical problems with evidence based recommendations for nursing care. (Available on-site only.)
EVIDENCE BASED NURSING
A journal of quality appraised abstracted research relevant to nursing practice.
COCHRANE LIBRARY
High quality independent evidence, including systematic reviews from the Cochrane Collaboration, DARE (Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectives) and other sources, clinical trials, and more.
CLINICAL EVIDENCE
Systematic reviews that summarize and appraise "best practice" based on the evidence for the prevention and treatment of clinical conditions. Like Cochrane, the focus of Clinical Evidence is medicine.
UPTODATE
An online medical resource providing concise, practical answers to clinical questions. Many, but not all, of the recommendations are evidence based. (Available on-site only.) UpToDate provides background information on diseases and conditions, as well as an overview of the medical management of the patient.
How to Find: Practice Guidelines
RNAO (Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario)
Includes Nursing Best Practice Guidelines, clinical practice guidelines based on current evidence and research, and available for download. These guideline are often based on research done in the U.S.
National Guideline Clearinghouse
A public resource for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. The guidelines are searchable by topic or professional organization (ONS, AWHONN, etc.)
AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses) - Links to standards of care and other clinical practice information. Includes both free and "member-only" information, as well as links for purchasing published standards.
AWHONN (Association of Women's Health,Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses) - Includes a list of the AWHONN-published evidence-based practice guidelines which are available for purchase. Summaries of the guidelines are available through the the National Guideline Clearinghouse by searching on "AWHONN."
Oncology Nursing Society Online Resources:
Outcomes Resource Area (ORA) - information for nurses providing direct patient care or looking for research evidence regarding patient care outcomes.
Evidence-Based Practice Resource Area (EBPRA) - focuses on the process and resources for evidence-based practice to "provide nurses with a guide to identify, critically appraise and use evidence to solve clinical problems" and to "assist nurses...in developing evidence-based practice protocols."
Additional Resources for Evidence Based Practice
New York State Department of Health - A wide variety of health related information, including Clinical Guidelines, information on Diseases & Conditions and Statistics & Data.
National Institutes of Health - An abundance information related to health and health research. Use their search box to look for "practice guidelines" or "clinical guidelines."
Sigma Theta Tau International (Honor Society of Nursing) - Numerous links to resources for research and evidence based practice.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Research information and statistics.
Additional Agencies & Associations (links from Miner Library)
Writing & Citing
Citing Articles, Books & Electronic Databases: APA Format
RefWorks
Miner Library, in partnership with the UR River Campus Libraries and Information Technology Services, provides a University-wide subscription to RefWorks.
Because RefWorks is web-based, it has unique features:
- Each user creates an individual RefWorks account/personal database to protect data integrity.
- You can access and update personal databases from any computer connected to the Internet either on campus or off site.
- RefWorks is available at no charge for all UR users. You do not need to purchase any software.
- RefWorks is never out of date. Upgrades are automatic, so all UR users automatically have access to the most recent version.
- RefWorks is compatible with both PCs and Macs.
- The RefShare module allows users to share their references with members of their own institution and with non-UR researchers.
Learn more about RefWorks:
- NEW! - Attach files (such as the full text of an article in PDF format) to your reference. Read More
- Check out the Basic Tutorials, Advanced Tutorials, and Quick Start Guide.
- Take a RefWorks Class.
- Request a Housecall for advanced or individualized assistance.
- Contact the Williams Health Sciences Library at 341-6761 or Ask A Librarian.
Ask A Librarian - Email a question or request a literature search
