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Post Graduate Health & Nursing: Database help

Database Help Information

Download the DynaMed App.

Use this link (DynaMed) or the QR code and instructions below.

 

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What database/s to use?

Where do I find quality information?

Library Search

The Library’s main search bar (known as “Library Search”) searches across most of the journal and eBook databases we subscribe to, therefore, for the most part, are sufficient for research.  However, at post graduate level you may find it useful to use individual, more specialised databases for your research. 

 

Specialised Databases

Some databases specialise in specific areas of health research. For instance, PubMed/Medline focuses on biomedical literature, CINAHL covers nursing and allied health, and PsycINFO is strong in psychology and mental health.

 

Systematic Reviews

For those of you conducting systematic reviews, using individual databases is essential to ensure thoroughness, reduce bias, and maintain methodological transparency and replicability.

Thoroughness: Systematic reviews aim to be exhaustive, summarizing all relevant evidence on a given topic. Searching multiple individual databases helps capture all relevant studies, minimizing the risk of bias and ensuring no significant studies are overlooked.

Quality and Relevance: Each database may have different inclusion criteria and indexing practices. By using multiple sources, reviewers can cross-verify the quality and relevance of the studies included in their review.

Reduction of Bias: Different databases may have different strengths and weaknesses. By systematically searching across a variety of databases, reviewers can balance these biases, providing a more objective and balanced review of the available evidence.

Transparency and Replicability: Systematic reviews follow a transparent and replicable methodology. By detailing the individual databases searched, reviewers provide a clear and reproducible search strategy, enhancing the credibility and reliability of the review.

General Resources for Health

The databases have been arranged by type as in how you might use them and the types of information you can get from them.  Scroll down to find the databases that are most useful for your studies. 

  • Point of care databases
  • Research databases
  • Study databases (including anatomy & physiology resources)

Point of Care Databases

You can use these databases to get quick evidence-based information on conditions and drugs.  They can also be useful to find further resources on your topic by following the references used.

Research Databases and Journal Collections

Use these databases and journal collections to find research journal articles. These are great for writing essays, literature reviews and any other research projects you do.

Study Databases

These databases can be good when studying for tests or for getting an introduction to a topic.  They are a bit more easy to digest as they are in video form or interactive. 

Scroll down for links to:

  • Māori & Pacific health organisations
  • Rongōa Māori
  • Models of health
  • Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Organisations

Rongoā Māori

Models of Health

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

 
 
 

Kate Reynolds & Matt Silvester | Teaching & Learning Librarians for the Division of Health