This research guide reviews the following resources:
CINAHL, or Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, includes content to support nursing and allied health professionals. You will be prompted to log in with your Atlas username and password.
On the Advanced search page of CINAHL, users can explore articles in which a nurse is an author or narrow to nursing journals. Each can be explored separately or simultaneously.
On the Advanced search page of CINAHL, users can explore qualitative or quantitative research. Each can be explored separately or simultaneously.
You can search for Qualitative or Quantitative Research using MH Exact Subject Heading in CINAHL.
To explore Qualitative sources, under Clinical Queries, you can select either:
To explore Qualitative sources, under Publication Type, you can select either:
CINAHL allows users to create dynamic searches. Below we'll review some of these dynamic features.
Some users might be familiar with searching using natural language, the way we speak or using keywords. A keyword is a word or phrase used to describe the main ideas or issues the user is searching for. Natural language and keywords change based on the person, place, or culture. Some examples of keywords include high blood pressure, hyperpiesia, or hyperpiesis.
Library databases use a controlled vocabulary, or specific phrases or terms, that describe the subject matter within a source. Using a controlled vocabulary helps to organize information and provides users with consistent terms to find information. Each library database uses its own controlled vocabulary, so the controlled vocabulary in CINAHL might be different from those used in Academic Search Complete. Most databases allow users to browse the specific controlled vocabulary terms used in that database by clicking on the Subject, Subject Headings, or Thesaurus.
When searching using keywords or natural language, use "quotation marks" around two or more word phrases or concepts that generally appear together.
For example, "United States" or "Valencia College".
The search "Valencia College" with quotations marks will exclude searches such as Valencia, Spain or colleges in Valencia, California.
if the search has no results, you should check for spelling errors or reduce the number of words between the quotation marks.
Wildcards such as an asterisk (*) or question mark (?) are used to replace a part of a word.
Wildcards search keywords with multiple variations in word endings or spelling.
Databases use terms such as AND, OR, NOT (also known as Boolean operators) to combine keywords to either broaden or narrow search results.
A general search using asthma will result in many results.
Using AND narrows search results. If I search for asthma AND air pollution, my results will be narrowed to include both concepts.
Using OR expands search results. If I search for air pollution OR air pollutants OR air quality, my results will be broadened to include results on air pollution, air pollutants, air quality, and all three.
Review the video below about using and combing Boolean operators.
CINAHL Subject Headings, quotation marks, wild cards, or Boolean operators can be combined in a search.
I could use the CINAHL Subject Headings asthma, occupational. In the first line of the database, I can type asthma, occupational, and then from the drop-down select SU (Subject heading).
Tip: Subject Headings or other controlled vocabulary are specific to a database and should be searched separately from keywords. Two MeSH or subject headings can be combined on the same line using OR.
Between both boxes keep AND
In the second box, I can type air pollution OR air pollutants OR air quality.
I could use the CINAHL Subject Headings asthma, occupational. In the first line of the database, I can type asthma, occupational, and then from the drop-down select SU (Subject heading).
Tip: Subject Headings or other controlled vocabulary are specific to a database and should be searched separately from keywords. Two subject Headings can be combined on the same line using OR.
In the second box, I can type air pollut* OR air quality.