Personally - I like CINAHL best. Since I have to use remote access I tap into the Eccles Library through VPN. This allows me to access whatever Eccles has subscribed to. Using CINAHL allows me to change search terms easily. This means that when I begin a search and get a few hundred results then I can narrow that search by not only changing the terms, or adding terms but also by using the advanced search parameters. I usually click on peer review, English, and link to full text. Using these usually limits the results down to a manageable number. I also like the fact that I can export to Endnote and if it can't find the full text I can download the text from CINAHL to my desktop and move it into my Endnote file.
I have tried using Endnote for searches and have not been as successful. First I found it harder to limit the search - maybe because I'm less familiar with the program. But the one thing that I struggle with is the limited number of full text that Endnote seems to find. I like reading the full text and when appropriate using quotes from articles so I like having the full text available.
It is amazing to me how much things have changed. When I first started doing research papers - 30 years ago I spent hours in the library reading through journals. Then I'd have to make copies of the article and be sure that I had enough information for the citation. Sometimes I'd find a reference to an article that was 'just what I wanted' only to find that the library didn't subscribe to that journal. This can still happen but it is much less frequent and the time I spend researching is significantly decreased. Also the ease with which we can cite while we write using Endnote is wonderful, not to mention the replacing of the typewriter with the word processor - you of the younger generation just don't know the advantages you have. I have an old electric typewriter if anyone wants to try out the 'good old days'.
I am very new to all these and I keep hoping to find the time to practice doing searches through the remote library. Like you Mary Ann, I have been mostly successful with CINAHL than the others when finding full texts.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann--thanks so much for mentioning that Cyber Pegagogy was a great class. I've been looking for elective to fill a teaching nursing requirement, and I think you just helped me figure it out! I hope all is well with the Cook family!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that I am not the only one who finds that EndNote is difficult when searching for information. I had heard such great things it. Maybe that is why I am not a big fan -expectation was too great =)
ReplyDeleteAs part of this module we wanted you to take a look at the National Guideline Clearinghouse and Google with your same search question to have experience and compare different sources.
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