9.2.5 Catalogues and Retrieval
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Knows How Research is Catalogued and Strategies for Efficient Retrieval
Efficient retrieval of research articles is crucial for evidence-based practice in healthcare. However, with the vast amount of information available, it can be challenging to find relevant and reliable articles.
One way to address this challenge is through the use of indexing systems such as Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and Cochrane Library’s classification system. These systems provide a standardized way of categorizing and organizing articles based on their content and subject matter. MeSH, for example, uses a hierarchical system to group articles into categories such as anatomy, diseases, and chemicals.
In addition to indexing systems, efficient retrieval of research articles requires the use of appropriate search strategies. For example, truncation and wildcards are often used to expand search results by including various forms of a keyword. For instance, using the truncation symbol “” after “nurs” will retrieve articles containing the words “nurse”, “nurses”, “nursing”, etc.
Boolean operators such as AND, OR, and NOT can also be used to refine search results by specifying the relationships between keywords. For instance, combining the keywords “nurse” AND “patient” will retrieve articles that include both terms, while combining “nurse” OR “physician” will retrieve articles that include either term.
| Boolean Operator | Function | Example Use in Medical Database Search | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AND | Combines terms | “diabetes AND hypertension” | Retrieves records containing both terms. Narrows the search, resulting in more specific results. |
| OR | Broadens the search | “stroke OR cerebrovascular accident” | Retrieves records containing either term. Expands the search, useful for synonyms or related terms. |
| NOT | Excludes terms | “cancer NOT lung” | Retrieves records containing the first term but excludes those containing the second term. |
| NEAR/n | Proximity search (n = number of words apart) | “smoking NEAR/5 cancer” | Retrieves records where “smoking” is within five words of “cancer.” More precise than AND. |
| ( ) | Groups terms | “(diabetes OR hypertension) AND treatment” | Used to structure searches and control the order of operations. |
Advanced search options such as filters and limiters can also be used to refine search results based on publication date, study design, language, and other criteria. For example, limiting a search to articles published within the last five years can help ensure that the most recent and relevant research is included.
In healthcare, librarians and information specialists can play a critical role in the efficient retrieval of research articles. They can assist in developing search strategies, identifying appropriate databases, and selecting appropriate indexing terms and search filters. Additionally, librarian co-authors have been correlated with higher-quality reported search strategies in systematic reviews.
In summary, efficient retrieval of research articles requires the use of appropriate indexing systems and search strategies. By utilizing these tools, healthcare practitioners can more effectively identify and incorporate evidence into their clinical decision-making processes.
References:
- McGowan, J., & Sampson, M. (2005). Systematic reviews need systematic searchers. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 93(1), 74-80.
- Niederhuber, J. E. (2018). Searching for the evidence. In S. B. Edge & J. E. Niederhuber (Eds.), The Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics (pp. 33-46). Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-99873-8_3
- Rethlefsen, M. L., Farrell, A. M., Osterhaus Trzasko, L. C., & Brigham, T. J. (2015). Librarian co-authors correlated with higher quality reported search strategies in general internal medicine systematic reviews. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 68(6), 617-626. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.11.025