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Pointers in Searching Ovid
 

(OVID includes databases like MEDLINE that you'll use to use to find journal article citations on certain topic)
  • Go to library's webpage http://www.library.umc.edu
  • Login to UMC Resources
  • Click on electronic databases from drop-down menu.
  • Choose the appropriate database (MEDLINE, etc.)
  • If off-campus, enter library ID and password. Hint: Look on the blue form.
  • Identify concepts - What are you looking for?
  • Identify subject headings. Hint: OVID will automatically map to the correct subject heading. If no appropriate subject heading exists, search by keyword. Always use a subject heading if possible.
  • Explode or Focus subject heading. Hint: Explode will increase your results by including narrower terms under the main subject heading. Focus will narrow down your search by including only those citations where the subject heading is the major point of the article.
  • Choose subheadings if appropriate.
  • Combine sets. Remember: If you are searching for more than one concept search each concept separately, then combine sets. For example, if you are looking for articles about cystic fibrosis patients undergoing lung transplantation, first do a search on cystic fibrosis, then do a search on lung transplantation, then combine the two searches together using the Combine icon.
  • Limit as appropriate. Hint: Click on the Limit icon to see ways to limit your search.
  • Look over citations
  • Mark items you want to print by selecting the check box
  • Use citation manager to print the citations you have selected. Hint: After you have checked the citations you want to print, click on Display in citation manager before selecting the print icon.
  • Go read articles. Hint: Look under local message on your print out. SOURCE IN LIBRARY. CHECK LIBRARY CATALOG FOR VOLUME HOLDINGS - this means the library subscribes to this journal in print and you need to check the catalog to find out where the issue you need is located (current journals, journal stacks, at bindery, etc.). SOURCE OWNED. CHECK LIB CATALOG & E-JRLS ON LIBRARY WEB SITE - this means we get this journal two ways: in print and electronically. In this case, you can check the catalog to find where the print issue is OR you can check the library's webpage under electronic journals.

Questions? Stop by the Rowland Medical Library reference desk or call us at 984-1231.