Selecting Databases
Core
- Cochrane LibraryA collection of databases that contain different types of high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making, including access to Cochrane Reviews.
- PubMedPubMed comprises more than 28 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books.
- ScopusThe largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature: scientific journals, books and conference proceedings
- Web of ScienceCitation database with multidisciplinary coverage of journals in the sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities. Indexes the journal literature and tracks article citation histories.
Specialty
- ERICA database with a focus on education
- Global Index MedicusThe Global Index Medicus (GIM) provides worldwide access to biomedical and public health literature produced by and within low-middle income countries. The main objective is to increase the visibility and usability of this important set of resources. The material is collated and aggregated by WHO Regional Office Libraries on a central search platform allowing retrieval of bibliographical and full text information.
- PsycINFOThe main index to the peer-reviewed literature for psychology and neuroscience. It indexes citations and summaries of journal articles, book chapters, books, and technical reports in the field of psychology and psychological aspects of related disciplines.
Other
Finding Grey Literature
- Resources for Searching the Grey LiteratureFrom Duke University
Clinical Trials/Results Databases
Conference Proceedings and Dissertations
- ProQuestSelect "Conference Papers and Proceedings" or "Dissertations and Theses" from the databases listed under the Databases tab.
- Web of ScienceCitation database with multidisciplinary coverage of journals in the sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities. Indexes the journal literature and tracks article citation histories.
Articles, Books, Chapters
Armstrong R, Jackson N, Doyle J, Waters E, Howes F. It's in your hands: the value of handsearching in conducting systematic reviews of public health interventions. J Public Health. 2005;27(4):388-391.
Helmer D, Savoie I, Green C, Kazanjian A. Evidence-based practice: extending the search to find material for the systematic review. Bull Med Libr Assoc. 2001 Oct;89(4):346-52. PMID:11837256; PMCID: PMC57963
Hopewell S, Clarke MJ, Lefebvre C, Scherer RW. Handsearching versus electronic searching to identify reports of randomized trials. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2. Art. No.: MR000001. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.MR000001.pub2.
Hopewell S, McDonald S, Clarke M, Egger M. Grey literature in meta-analyses of randomized trials of health care inventions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2. Art No.: MR000010. PMID: 17443631
Information Service, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Finding studies for systematic reviews: a resource list for researchers. Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, July 2010.