MEDEX: Advanced Research Techniques

1.  Develop Your Search Strategy

• See HSL Systematic Reviews Guide, Develop Search Strategy Tab
• Select journal databases to search:
  • Default databases to search:  PubMed , Cinahl Plus
  • Depending on topic, additional specialty databases: Embase,  PsycInfo, Global Health Database, and multidisciplinary databases such as Web of Science. See Toolkits on HSL website for additional databases, and visit the UW Libraries research guides for key resources in Chemistry, Environment, Sciences, and other areas.
• Databases for non-journal literature: see Grey Literature Sources

2.  Search using combination of indexing terms and keywords

• Use database features, e.g. filters, indexing terms, to maximize search retrieval
• Search example and tips for searching effectively and combining concepts
• For more information see the PubMed at the UW Guide

3.  Document/Save your search strategy using History or MyNCBI

• Copy or save exact search strategy (use PubMed Advanced Search/History page)
• Database Saved Search Feature, e.g. MyNCBI in PubMed
• MyNCBI, your personal space on the NLM computer, allows you to 1) save and store PubMed searches; 2) create email alerts and search filters; and 3) set preferences to personalize displays and show UW online article links.

4.  Organize, annotate, and format paper or thesis bibliographies using Citation Management Software

• EndNote online, available to UW affiliates at no charge
• See Citation Management Tools for more options

5.  Contact a HSL Librarian for assistance

• Ask Us!

Short video showing how to access full text journal articles.

• PubMed at the UW
• MyNCBI, individual account for PubMed
• HSL Systematic Review Guide
• EndNote Basic
• Citation Management Software