The information explosion can create difficulties in locating literature on a specific topic by means of the Online Catalog or printed indexes and abstracts. To assist researchers in finding the information they need when the traditional methods of searching have been exhausted, University Libraries can access Electronic Journals & Bibliographic databases or computerized data files offered by some commercial database vendors. Through these vendors such as OVID, Elsevier,etc… librarians can search databases such as: ScienceDirect, Proquest, Blackwell Synergy/…
Online databases generally contain the most current information available on a given subject.

How does it work?

What subjects are covered?

How long does it take?

Will the Library have everything identified in the search?

What preparations should MUMS member make?

For more information contact : 8544081-3 ext. 265 or 281

An MUMS student or faculty member consults a reference librarian to prepare a statement of research interest. The librarian then enters the keywords into appropriate computerized databases. Databases can be searched for authors' names, categories of information (such as book reviews or research reports), or combinations of subject words and phrases. The results contain a list of relevant citations. In some cases abstracts of articles or reports may be included. The results may be printed at the library, recorded on a computer disc, or e-mailed to the researcher.

MUMS Online databases cover a wide range of subjects in different fields of health & medicine. Most frequently cited in databases are periodical articles, but books, newspaper articles, conference proceedings, statistics, dissertations, foundation grants, and research in progress may also be included. The librarian will help patrons choose the appropriate databases when developing a search profile.

Most database search sessions take from about 30 minutes to one hour. Generally, patrons should have an appointment for a database search. Patrons should see a reference librarian about scheduling a search session.

Database search results may identify materials not in the University Libraries collection. Reference Librarian will help students or faculty member obtain full paper articles through Article delivery service.

Although the librarian working with the patron will assist in translating concepts into the terminology used in the database, the patron should prepare for the search session by the following steps:

• Form a clear idea of the information that is to be retrieved from the search. Subjects which are too broad need to be narrowed; on the other hand, an extremely specific topic may result in few or no search results. Consider whether other information sources would be useful for the topic.
• Write a statement defining the topic. If this statement is in a good, grammatical sentence, it will express the relationship among the concepts.
• List keywords or phrases and their synonyms to describe each of the concepts in the topic. It may be helpful to consult an index or abstract thesaurus, such as : MeSH (Medical Subject Headings)
• If possible list one or two citations to articles which are considered pertinent to the topic.