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CINAHL and MEDLINE can be searched simultaneously by clicking "Choose Databases" above the search boxes.

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More Databases:

Full text access and other research tips:

• Use the "Core Nursing" limiter in CINAHL to zero in on peer-reviewed articles in the Nursing literature. Near the top of the the left margin on your result list page, click "show more" under the date slider bar. Under "Journal Subset," select "Core Nursing."
  • If full text is not available, follow the link to "Request via Interlibrary Loan." Complete the form and submit. The article will be emailed to you, usually within 24-48 hours. 
  • Last minute rush? Check the "EBSCO Full Text" limiter at the top of the left margin on your result list page to eliminate results that are not immediately available in full text.
• Too many search words can eliminate useful results! Try using just one or two words relevant to your topic. It's okay if the result list is large - results are ranked by relevance. Once you apply your limiters, the best articles will rise to the top.
• Using Google Scholar? These step-by-step instructions show you how to locate full text (either free online, or free to you through CSU).

Off campus?

Many electronic resources (research databases, e-books, etc.) are limited to CSU students, faculty, and staff when accessed off campus. You may be prompted to authenticate by entering your CampusNet ID and password. 

Questions? Here are some tips for resolving common connection problems.

A primary research article reports on a study conducted by the authors. This type of article:

• Asks a research question or states a hypothesis
• Identifies a research population
• Describes a specific research method
• Tests or measures something
• Includes a section called "method" or "methodology." 
• Includes a section called "results."

Words to look for as clues include: analysis, study, investigation, examination, experiment, numbers of people or objects analyzed, control group, or survey.

To contrast, the following are NOT primary research articles (they are secondary sources):

• Literature reviews*
• Meta-Analyses/Review articles* (arrive at conclusions based on research from many other studies)
• Editorials
• Letters
• Chapters in books
• Encyclopedia articles
• Speeches and interviews

* Literature reviews and meta-analyses also describe the authors' research method/methodology, focusing on their database search strategy and development of criteria for including or excluding individual study results. These articles are still secondary sources because they synthesize the findings of multiple research studies; the authors are not the primary researchers.

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