1. Search OneSearch, CINAHL, and PubMed for pressure ulcers and wound care. Look for peer reviewed journal articles. How do the number of results compare between them? How do the search options compare?
For each of the following resources, in each database I searched for the words:
wound care pressure ulcers
Using the "Everything" scope:
8745 results (note the system automatically added "bedsores")
3826 results which are peer reviewed
3816 results which are peer reviewed and are articles
Using the "Articles" scope:
3823 results that are peer reviewed
3816 results that are peer reviewed and are articles
3945 results that are peer reviewed
3934 results that are peer reviewed and are from academic journals
All sources are vetted by the National Library of Medicine, and most are peer reviewed. However, NLM/PubMed doesn't provide a specific peer reviewed limit option.
OneSearch:
In OneSearch, you need to be careful about searching for "Everything" or "Articles," as individual journal articles aren't displayed if you search for the Books and Media options. The results page includes significant "limit" options, usually on the left side of the screen (such as peer reviewed and even full-text online).
EBSCO: CINAHL
CINAHL's first screen has multiple search boxes, encouraging you to think in terms of specific concepts within a research topic. It also allows for limiting to peer reviewed and by publication date at the start of the search.
PubMed
PubMed has fewer of the typical library database features (peer reviewed), but has more ways to limit by medical topics.
2. Evaluating the actual results lists for quality and relevance, how do these databases differ in their results? What might be your next step if you were researching this topic?
After searching for the terms you used for the previous search, or using your own terms, what do you see as significant in any differences between the results in OneSearch, CINAHL, and PubMed?
- CINAHL focuses on nursing journals, so the articles sometimes are more focused on practice and care, including research on best practices.
- PubMed covers all medical specialties, so on some topics there might be more theoretical research, or focused study in a specific aspect of medical treatment.
- OneSearch primarily covers articles owned and immediately accessible through the CSU Stanislaus Library, no matter what discipline. Depending on the topic, there may be a handful to a high percentage of non-medical journals. However, on very specific medical topics, most of the results will be from various medical and nursing journals.
To take the next step in the research process, you might consider:
3. Use a citation tool in one of the databases of the library's APA citation guide to create APA style reference for:
The 2007 article by Moore and Cowman on “A systematic review of wound cleansing for pressure ulcers” published in volume 17, issue 15 of the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
If you used a library citation tool to create the citation (OneSearch, EBSCO/CINAHL, etc.), did the APA format look correct to you?
APA:
Moore, Z., & Cowman, S. (2008). A systematic review of wound cleansing for pressure ulcers. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(15), 1963–1972. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02381.x
EBSCO:
Moore, Z., & Cowman, S. (2008). A systematic review of wound cleansing for pressure ulcers. Journal of Clinical Nursing (Wiley-Blackwell), 17(15), 1963–1972. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02381.x
Note: EBSCO included the publisher (Wiley-Blackwell), which is normally not part of an APA citation for a journal article. Otherwise their citation was accurate.
OneSearch:
Moore, & Cowman, S. (2008). A systematic review of wound cleansing for pressure ulcers. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 17(15), 1963–1972. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02381.x
Note: OneSearch citation tool missed Moore's first initial (Z), but otherwise was accurate for this source.
PubMed:
Moore Z, Cowman S. A systematic review of wound cleansing for pressure ulcers. J Clin Nurs. 2008 Aug;17(15):1963-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02381.x. PMID: 18705777.
Note - PubMed uses a medical citation style, not APA. School of Nursing instructors normally require APA citations (which include the full name of the journal spelled out. Also, PubMed missed the "&" between the authors, put the year at the end (instead of after the authors), and included the month (which APA does not want).
4. How would you access this article which is not owned by the CSU Stanislaus Library?
If you need an example, try to search for an access the 2014 article by Ubbink & Stoekenbroek on “Systemic wound care: a meta-review” published in volume 24 of the journal Surgical Technology International.
The University Library also has an Interlibrary Loan request service via our ILLiad system, which we formerly used for all articles. While the new OneSearch Get It ILL request service is being phased in, ILLiad is still available, but is likely to be slower than the new Get It (OneSearch ILL Request) service.
To check on the status of a request:
5. If you need assistance with your research in your nursing course:
Where are you likely to ask for help?
What research assistance options does the library provide?
Which of the library help options, if any, do you think would be the most helpful for the way you like to research and study?
Please remember the library offers multiple avenues of assistance:
- 24/7 chat
- in person at the library (M-F, 9am to 3pm)
- by appointment
Your Librarian Instructors
John Brandt, School of Nursing Liaison Librarian, 209-664-6563, jbrandt@csustan.edu
Tim Held, Library Instruction Coordinator, 209-664-6555, theld@csustan.edu