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Medicine: Journals & Databases

Introduction

The quickest way to find articles on a specific topic is by searching a relevant database. The University Library subscribes to hundreds of databases, but we recommend the ones listed below as a starting point for students and researchers. Some provide only citations for articles, so look for the Article Link button, or try one of the methods described to access a copy.

Before you start searching the databases, it helps to take time to plan your search and create an effective search strategy.

Step 1:  Clearly define the topic or research question

Step 2:  Divide the topic or question into separate key concepts

Step 3:  Select alternative search terms and synonyms for each concept

Step 4:  Consider using text word symbols such as truncation and "phrase searching"

Step 5:  Select search terms to combine using Boolean logic - AND, OR, NOT

Step 6:  Select relevant databases via the Library homepage or your Subject Guide

Step 7:  When searching a database look for subject heading options

Step 8:  Run text word searches to complement subject heading searches

Step 9:  Review the results and modify your search strategy as required

What is article link?

Article Link links article databases to the Library's e-journal collections. It tells you whether (and where) the full-text of an article is available.

You may see Article Link represented as:    or   Otago Article Link.

Looking for a known article?

1. To find an article from a citation:

 

2.   To find a journal:

  • Search Library Search | Ketu for the Title of the Journal (usually underlined and/or in Italics)
  • The journal may be held in print, electronically, or both
  • Browse to find the correct year/volume and page number

 

3. You can also use Advanced Search to find a journal (or article):

  • Select 'Title' from the first drop-down menu
  • Leave the second drop-down menu as 'contains' or select 'is (exact)' or 'starts with'
  • Set the Material Type to Journals
  • Click on Search
  • Browse to find the correct year/volume and page numbers

Request a FREE copy with the Interloans service

If you need an item that is not available via a database that the University of Otago subscribes to, or in print form in the library, request a copy using the Interloans service. Articles are always free, and books are free if they can be sourced from libraries in Australia or New Zealand.

Databases

These are just some key databases relevant to searching for clinical information. (Hover over the title to see information about the resource.)

Note that the University does not subscribe to UpToDate. Trainee Interns (6th year medical students) will be able to access UpToDate through the hospital network.

These databases can only be searched using keywords (author words).

If you find a great article on your topic, you can use these citation databases to track down articles that cite that particular article. (Hover over the title to see information about the resource.)

These  tutorials are designed to provide a basic introduction to searching the databases.

 

Have you got a smart phone or tablet?

Did you know that many of our key databases are also available via mobile? When you look up the database in the Health Sciences database list or the Database list and it has this icon: : then it's available for iPhone /iPod or iPad or Android.

Assess your findings

Evaluating and thinking critically about sources of information are important skills to develop and apply while undertaking research.

Not all information is reliable and appropriate for academic work, and not all information is relevant to your particular topic.

You should challenge and reflect on information that you find; don’t just accept everything you read.

Rauru Whakarare Evaluation Framework

Assess sources, based on:
OROKOHANGA - ‘The Origins’: The source of the information
MANA - ‘The Authority’ of the information
WHAKAPAPA - ‘The Background’ of the information
MĀRAMATANGA - ‘The Content’ and usability of the
information
ARONGA - ‘The Lens’ or objectivity of the information

Tutorial link

Work through this tutorial to develop your skills in evaluating information that you find online:

SIFT - Evaluating Information Tutorial

Even though the library databases are good sources of information, we still need to evaluate that information before we decide to use it. You can do this by asking the following questions:

  • Is the information relevant to your topic?​
  • Who are the authors, are they experts in the field? Who do they work for? What else have they written?​
  • What evidence is given, what references are given, and what methodology is used?​
  • How is the study funded? Is there a bias?​
  • When was the information written, is it still relevant? Has it been updated or amended in light of new evidence?

Use the acronym BADURL to help you evaluate online sources:
B ... Bias
A ... Authority
D ... Date
U ... URL
R ... Relevance
L ... Links

Work through this tutorial to develop your skills in evaluating information that you find online:

TRAAP Test

Or apply these terms to assess if the information you have found answers your research question.

Timeliness

Relevance

Authority

Accuracy

Purpose

Download the TRAAP Test Questions

Here are some resources to help develop your evaluating skills:

  • For a simple 'commonsense' approach to evaluating claims made by the news media, read this short article by Doug Specht & Julio Gimenez from the University of Westminster, and pay close attention to the 6 'steps for reading like a scientist'.
  • If you need to verify a claim, you can check it on a fact-checking website. Check out this guide to Fact Checkers, curated by the University of California Berkley Library, for ideas on what websites to use if you are not sure.
  • Work through this excellent module on 'evaluating information and critical thinking' created by The University of Sheffield Library.
  • Check out this fun, short, easy game, created by a Canadian civics charity organisation 'CIVIX'. The game is designed to improve your verifying sources skills, by teaching you tricks for checking a claim, a source and an image: FAKEOUT