Tutorial: Library Database Searching for Evidence Based Nursing Practice at IUPUI

This tutorial has been designed for upper level Nursing students at the Indiana University School of Nursing (IUPUI campus). Caution:  To view the various segments of the tutorial, your computer must have the Flash Player (version 7 or higher) installed.

One of the challeges, when it comes to "Evidence-Based Practice" for Nursing, is that different organizations mean somewhat different things when they use the phrase.

Part 1 - Library Database Searching for Evidence Based Practice (24 slides) provides some context and introductory material for the subsequent IUPUI database demos.

Part 2 - CINAHL Tutorial - Connecting to CINAHL (~1 min.) - Activating a VPN connection & Opening the OVID CINAHL database

• Logging-in to the IUPUI VPN software activates a VPN connection, which temporarily attaches your computer to the IUPUI computer network. This lets you use almost all of the library electronic resources -- from any of the IUPUI Libraries -- without having to repeatedly log-in.

  • If you do not currently have IUPUI VPN software, you can download it, at no cost, from the IUWare website - but be sure to download an IUPUI campus version.

  • If your VPN software fails, or if you have installation difficulties, or if you have a Mac, directly contact the UITS Support Center at IUPUI.

Part 3 - CINAHL Tutorial - Basic Searching (~5 min.) - Using Map term to Subject heading, Explode, Focus, Subheadings, & Combine selections in the Ovid CINAHL database

Caution: Ovid search screens changed recently!  The "Search History" box and the "Advanced Search" input box have swapped places.

Old look (like the tutorial):         New look (like your search): 

Part 4 - CINAHL Tutorial - Using Limits (~6 min.) - Using Basic & Additional Limits to Modify a Search in the Ovid CINAHL database

Part 5 - CINAHL Tutorial - Viewing Articles (~5-1/2 min.) - Using Full Text links, Find It, A-to-Z List, Google Scholar, & Google to view articles listed in the Ovid CINAHL database 

Part 6 - CINAHL Tutorial - Ordering Articles - Using Interlibrary Loan/ILLiad (from two different IUPUI Libraries) to order articles that are not available online at IUPUI

• Part 6a - Registering for Free Interlibrary Loan (ILLIAD) from two different IUPUI Libraries

• Part 6b - Using Interlibrary Loan (ILLIAD) from Find It (the Serials Solutions window) 

Part 7 - CINAHL Tutorial - Sorting, Printing, & Saving - Sorting, Printing, E-mailing Results, & Saving Search Strategies in the Ovid CINAHL database

Part 8 - Searching Other Ovid Databases - Exporting a search strategy to another Ovid Database, Searching Medline, & Searching Cochrane Systematic Reviews

Links to Related IUPUI Library Resources

• Library Databases for Evidence Based Practice at IUPUI - organized by profession

• Pyramid of Evidence Resources - from the IU Medical Library

Go to the IUPUI Nursing Resources page