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University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus
Health Sciences Library

Searching for Evidence Based Information

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The UC Denver Health Sciences Searching for Evidence Based Information Tutorial is designed to provide a basic overview of library services, resources, and the library's webpage. For questions about this webpage or the tutorials, please contact Lynne Fox, lynne.fox@uchsc.edu.

See the Health Sciences Library 101 Tutorial if you need to master basic library skills.

The tutorial includes the following modules:

I: Introduction: Planning Your Search for Information

In this module of the tutorial you will learn to:

  1. Define the question you need to research and determine whether you are searching for background or foreground information (approx. 10 min.)
  2. Identify the appropriate resource(s) to search for background questions (approx. 10 min.)
    More evidence based resources for answering background questions
  3. Create an appropriate search strategy in the resource(s )for your foreground question you plan to search (approx. 10 min.)
  4. View self-test quiz questions with answers. (Time will vary)
    Access a PDF of the text of the slides from this entire module     to help you review the material as you take the quiz.

More searching tips

  1. Understand strategies that make searching more effective and efficient (approx 15 min)
    Access a PDF of the text of slides of this part of the module to help you review the tips as you search.
  2. Understand Boolean search operators and their function in searching (approx 5 min)

II: Searching Ovid MEDLINE for evidence based literature. (Approx 25 min.)

    The modules of this section of the course will help you:

  1. Perform a basic search in Ovid MEDLINE using keywords and MeSH terms
    limit to clinical trial publications,
    limit using the "Clinical Queries" search filters,
    save search history and set up email alerts

III:Searching PubMed MEDLINE for evidence based literature.

    The modules of this section of the course will help you:

  1. Perform a basic search and
    Part A: Limit to clinical trials
    Part B: Use the "Clinical Queries" search form to search more efficiently for evidence based literature
  2. Use the My NCBI feature (try the My NCBI feature by logging in as ebhc / password ebhc03. Then set up your own account if you like it.)
    Part A: To automatically filter any search results into subsets of the best evidence based literature
    Part B: To save searches to run again later, or to set up a search alert
    Part C: To store citations in a collection
    Part D: To display links to the University's online journal collection via the green and white "Article Linker" button
  3. Use the Medical Subject Headings to improve the relevancy of your search results

IV Searching the Cochrane Library for evidence based literature

    The modules of this section of the course will help you learn to:

  1. Identify the purpose and parts of the Cochrane Library
    Watch a YouTube Video: What is the Cochrane Collaboration?
  2. Search the Cochrane Library for evidence based literature:
    Part A: Understand how a systematic review is created and understand the parts of a systematic review (approx. 10 min.)
    Part B: Other Reviews and Clinical Trials (approx. 7 min.)
    Part C: Technology Assessments and Economic Evaluations (approx. 7 min.)
  3. PDF of the example Cochrane Review

V Searching for appraisals: InfoPOEMs in Essential Evidence Plus and ACP Journal Club

    This module of the course will help you:

  1. Understand the scope of these resources
  2. Perform a basic search for evidence based critical appraisals of an individual journal article.

VI Searching EMBASE or Ovid International Pharmaceuticals Abstracts

    The modules of this section of the course will help you:

  1. Understand the scope of these resources
  2. Perform a basic search for evidence based information.

VII Summary

    Points to remember:
  1. Ask your question, then decide if it is a background questions (general knowledge about a healthcare topic) or a foreground question (information needed to make decisions about a specific patient care issue).
  2. Use the appropriate clinical information resources for background questions.
  3. Use "PICO" to analyze your foreground question and identify keywords that can be used in your search strategy.
  4. Use the appropriate resources to search the literature for answers to foreground questions.
  5. Remember that not all questions have clear, evidence based answers. Develop a sense of when to stop searching for answers that don't exist and when to start relying on your clinical expertise!
  6. Ask a librarian, early and often, for assistance. Librarians can help locate the right resource to answer your question, help design a successful search strategy, and be a consultant in a comprehensive review of the literature.

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