CSD 490: Senior Capstone: The Clinical Process I Course Guide

Databases and Indexes for Communication Sciences and Disorders

Use Indexes and Databases (on the Fogler Library page) to find citations or references to journal articles.

Searching Databases--Update and Review

See the database guides for detailed instructions.

• Document your research process--list the databases you used, the search terms you tried, etc.
• Use "advanced" search modes for the best results
  • CINAHL, ERIC (EBSCO), MEDLINE, MLA International Bibliography, PsycINFO: click on "Advanced Search"
  • ERIC (CSA), LLBA: click on
  • Education Full Text defaults to advanced search mode

• Search for each concept separately. Use subject headings or the thesaurus whenever possible.
• Use the "explode" option when it's offered
  • ERIC (CSA), CINAHL, LLBA, MEDLINE: exploding a term retrieves all narrower (more specific) terms in its hierarchy
  • ERIC (EBSCO), PsycINFO: partial explodes only, i.e., exploding a term retrieves only the next level of narrower terms in its hierarchy
  • Education Full Text and MLA International Bibliography do not enable exploding

• No thesaurus or subject headings?

  • Try alternative terminology: stammering as well as stuttering
  • Try alternative spelling (British as well as American)
  • Truncate (use a wildcard) to get variations on a word: stutter* to find stutter, stuttering... Truncate carefully!
• Combine subject headings or sets using

ANDs stuttering and adolesc* s1 and s2
and ORs. adolesc* or teenagers s1 or s2

• If appropriate, consider searching topics by using a subject heading with a CINAHL subheading or MEDLINE subheading attached. Example: Aphasia, Wernicke/DI (diagnosis of Wernicke aphasia).
• If appropriate, attach multiple subheadings to a subject heading. Example: Aphasia, Wernicke/DI/TH (diagnosis and/or various therapeutic approaches for individuals with Wernicke aphasia).
• Apply limits as needed (range of years, English language, age groups, human, journal articles, peer reviewed journals, etc.). Remember, some limit options are unique to particular databases.
• Evaluate your results before you print them--read the abstract for a quick summary and/or skim the full text.

Finding Materials in the Library...and Beyond

See Finding Items at Fogler Library and Getting Items From Other Libraries. Most article copies are free, but sometimes other libraries charge delivery and copying fees. On the request form, indicate the maximum cost you are willing to pay in case there is a charge. If you are going to visit another library, call before you travel. Check hours, policies, copying fees, and whether the issue you need is available.

Sharing Information

• Familiar technologies
  • FirstClass
  • Social networking sites (e.g., Facebook): beware copyright violations and privacy issues!
• Document sharing and collaboration tools (e.g., Google Docs, Zoho Docs)
• Wikis (e.g., PBWorks, Zoho Wiki)
• EndNote Web (share groups of references with other people)

Questions?

Created by: Nancy Curtis | Revised: 09/18/2009

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