This library skills exercise is designed by the MEC Library for:
HIT 130

It will cover four types of research tools:

• Catalog
• eBooks
• Databases
• Web Sites

How to get there:

1. From the NOVA Libraries site, click on Books & More (middle of the page).

Things to know about the catalog:

• It's used for finding books, DVDs, and videos in the seven NOVA libraries.
  
  
• You can search all seven NOVA libraries at once, or limit to one campus.
  
  
• You can do several kinds of searches in the catalog, including Subject Keywords and Keyword (Anywhere).

Subject (LC Subject) Searching: This is the most precise kind of search. It is based on specific words that have been assigned to topics by librarians. Do this search when you have a general topic and you know (or can easily guess) the subject heading.

Example:

Research Question: How many books/DVDs do the NOVA libraries have on medical records?

Hint: Medical records is a single, general topic. Try a Subject Keywords search, using the official subject heading for medical records.

Your search can be: Medical Records

Click Go. You should get a list that looks similar to this:

Looking at the chart, you can see the author, title, year of publication, call number (shelf location), and whether the book is Reference (only used in the Library), Circulating (may be checked out), or in a special collection. The chart also tells you which campus libraries have a copy, and whether it is available or checked out.

Remember: You have access to books at all 6 campuses! If you see something at another campus that you want, click on the link for the campus in the Campus column. When prompted, enter your NovaConnect username and password. Be sure to select the campus for pick-up.

Example:

Another example of searching keywords in the list of subjects is hipaa.

Do the search and look at the results. In this case, the catalog didn't find the word "hipaa" in the subject headings.

 

Keyword (Anywhere) Searching: Do this kind of search when you don't know the specific words that have been assigned to your topic, or when you want to search a combination of topics.

Take your research question and break it down into the most important words and phrases, and use "AND" in between. Let's try searching for information on hipaa again.

Example 1:

Research Question: I need information on hipaa.

Hint:the catalog didn't find hipaa in the subject headings. Try it as a keyword search instead.

Your search can be:Choose Keywords Anywhere from the drop-down menu, then type hipaa in the search box.

Example 2:

Research Question: I need information on juvenile diabetes.

Your search can be: Choose Keywords Anywhere from the drop-down menu, then type juvenile AND diabetes in the search box.

• Choose #4 and look at the subject headings.
• Now choose #5 and notice the link that takes you to the electronic book.

 

The NOVA libraries subscribe to a number of e-book (electronic books) collections, several of which support nursing.

How to get there:

1. From the NOVA Libraries site, move your mouse over the box in the middle of the page that says Books & More to reveal more choices.
   
2. In the expanded Books & More window, click on E-books.

You should see a menu that looks like this:

Things to know about eBooks:

• eBooks are electronic versions of printed books.

• You do not need to "check out" our eBooks. You can access them as long as you have an Internet connection and are a student at NOVA. If off-campus, log in using your NovaConnect username and password.

• Each eBook collection has different books. You can read the eBooks from cover to cover, view just selected chapters, or do a keyword search to find the pages that contain the information you need.

• Most collections will allow you to bookmark and print or email certain sections, but in limited quantities. Copyright restrictions do apply.
  

R2 Library and Stat!Ref have over 80 core titles in nursing and allied health.

For this part of the exercise you'll use 3 databases to search for journal articles: Health Reference Center Academic, CINAHL, and Medline (PubMed).

Things to know about Databases:

• Databases are the best tools for finding articles from magazines, journals, and newspapers.
  
• Databases are typically expensive, but NOVA students, faculty, and staff can use them for FREE.
  
  
• Using databases from off-campus:
  Because they are expensive, the databases are only for NOVA students and staff. You must enter your MyNova user ID and password to use databases from off-campus.

Database to try:

Health Reference Center Academic

How to get there:

1. From the NOVA Libraries site, click on Articles (middle of the page).
   
2. Scroll down until you see Subject Specific Databases. Under Health & Medicine, click on Allied Health & Nursing . You will see a list of databases that are useful for finding articles on Nursing and Allied Health.
   
3. Select the database called Health Reference Center Academic.

Do a search!

Let's say you're interested in finding information on asthma.

1. Be sure to select Subject Guide Search (see picture).

2. In the search box, type asthma.

Note that you can limit your results to full-text (complete) articles, peer-reviewed journal articles, articles with images, etc. by clicking on More search options.

3. Click Search. You should see something that looks like this:

This shows that the database has 11,571 articles on asthma. Clicking on subdivisions will break that group of articles into smaller categories.

4. Look at the related subjects, further down the list. Choose Childhood Asthma, then click on Subdivisions and see how the topic is broken down (see below).

5. Choose the subdivision Risk Factors. You should get a list of articles that looks like this:

Whenever you see the words “Full-text” or “Full-text with graphics” (see above), this means that the complete article is available in the database.  Just click on the article title or the words “Full-text” to read it. See box below for what to do when full-text is not available.

After you have opened an article, you may print, email, or save articles, or to get assistance with creating a citation for an article by using the Tools box on the right.

Database to try:

CINAHL (Cummulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature)

How to get there:

1. From the NOVA Libraries site, click on Articles (middle of the page).
   
2. Scroll down until you see Subject Specific Databases. Under Health & Medicine, click on Allied Health & Nursing . You will see a list of databases that are useful for finding articles on Nursing and Allied Health.
   
3. Select the database called CINAHL.

Do a search!

Let's say you're interested in comparing PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations) with HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations)

1. Type hmos in the first search box and ppos in the second.

(Note that there are many ways to limit your search, included by full-text and publication date. It's usually best not to limit by full text since we use a system that links outside of the database to additional full text articles. You might miss something!)

2. Click Search.  You should get a screen that looks like this:

If full text is not available for the article you want, follow the previous instructions.

3. You can refine your search by using the built in limiters which we looked at previously. Click on the Search Options link (to the right of the results list) and check the box next to Peer Reviewed. Click on Search.

Do a another search!

Another way to do the search is to list one term at a time and ask for the official heading for that term:

1. In the first box type ppos. Check the box next to Suggest Subject Terms (see below) to get assistance in locating the best subject heading for "ppos".

2. Select the correct subject heading by checking the box next to Preferred Provider Organizations:

3. Use the drop-down menu to select Combine selections with: AND (see above). This will add the official subject heading "Preferred Provider Organizations" to your search.

4. Repeat the process for "hmos". Type hmos in the search box and click on Browse:

5. Select the second subject heading by placing a checkmark the box next to Health Maintenance Organizations.

6. Click on Search Database at the top of the screen. Note how many articles you got this time.

Medline (PubMed):

How to get there:

1. From the NOVA Libraries webpage, click on Articles (middle of the screen)
   
2. Scroll down the page until you see Allied Health & Nursing. Click on Allied Health & Nursing.
   
3. You will see a list of databases that are useful for topics in Nursing and Allied Health.
   
4. Select MEDLINE (PubMed).
   

Do a search!

Let's say you're interested in finding information on prenatal care.

1. Type prenatal care into the search box. Click Go. Notice how many results you got.

2. Let's limit the search to nutrition by adding and nutrition in the search box.

3. Let's further limit the search by adding and calcium. You should get a list of results similar to this:

4. Notice article number 7. What is the problem with with it? Click on the Limits tab (see above picture).

5. Try putting some limits on your search. Check the boxes next to Human and English language.

Note: You can also use the MeSH browser under PubMed Services in the navigation bar to identify precise subject headings.  Ask a librarian for help.

How to get there:

1. From the NOVA Libraries webpage, click on Websites(middle of the screen)
   
2. Click on Best of the Web.
   
3. Choose Nursing and Allied Health.

Try this:

1. Click on Core Resources.

2. Choose Medline Plus. Type women AND heart disease into the search box at the top of the page.

©Copyright Northern Virginia Community College. Last updated February 6, 2009. Comments to Beth DeAngelo.