Can't Find What You Need?
If the book or full text of an article you're looking for is not owned by the Wolfgram Library then you need the services of Interlibrary Loan. This service obtains materials from other libraries worldwide on your behalf.
Use ILLiad for Books & Articles
Use E-ZBorrow for Books only
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InterLibrary Loan Tutorial Guide Available Here
MEDLINE is the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) international index. This database contains more than 28 million references to journal articles with a focus on medical literature. MEDLINE is the primary component of PubMed, but the interface is more user friendly for advanced searches.
Navigate to the MEDLINE Database
The basic search strategy for MEDLINE is best for researchers looking at a topic for the first time. It also takes less time and planning than advanced searching. Often, for assignments that require 5 or fewer sources, this search strategy is sufficient. if you aren't finding results using this method, I advise trying the advanced strategy.
Before you begin searching, think about the terms you want to use. Take a moment to brainstorm any potential synonyms for your search terms. Is there a more technical term used by people in the field? Are there brand name or generic options? Is there a word that may have been used in the past but is now considered outdated? Write or type these terms before moving to step 2.
This three-bar search interface probably looks familiar if you have used databases in the past. This is where you enter your search terms. Use the blue "Search" button to get your results list.
This is an important step. Your assignments often have publication date limits and require peer-reviewed academic journal articles. The filters can be found under the search bar at the top of the results list. The most commonly used filters have their own buttons, but you can access all filters using the "All Filters" button.
The advanced search strategy is best for researchers who are more familiar with their topic or who haven't found the results they needed using the basic search strategy. This is the preferred search method for post-graduate researchers or researchers working on review or analysis assignments.
Before you begin searching, think about the terms you want to use. Take a moment to brainstorm any potential synonyms for your search terms. Is there a more technical term used by people in the field? Are there brand name or generic options? Is there a word that may have been used in the past but is now considered outdated? Write or type these terms before moving to step 2.
Databases are built like social media platforms. They use hashtags to group items that relate to the same topic. In databases, we call these tags "Subject Headings." MEDLINE gives users the ability to search through their hashtags to find the ones that connect all of the papers on your topic of interest. We access this information by using the "MEDLINE -- MeSH 2024" link below the advanced search interface.
Use the search terms that you brainstormed in step 1 to begin your search on this new page. Enter the terms one at a time to find MEDLINE's preferred subject heading, then select the tick box next to your preferred term and add it to your search using the "Add to search" button.
This is an important step. Your assignments often have publication date limits and require peer-reviewed academic journal articles. The filters can be found under the search bar at the top of the results list. The most commonly used filters have their own buttons, but you can access all filters using the "All Filters" button.
Once you have a results list, you will need to access the articles you want to review. Access options are available through the "Access options" button under each result on your results list or at the top of the page for the record. If there's only one option to access the article, the button will read "Access now," but if there are more than one option, you will see the "Access options" button with drop-down menu that reveals your options.
