BrainSMART: Library Research Module - Step 5

Welcome to Step 5 of Library Research Module for BrainSMART:

If you have questions about the terminology in this exercise, consult this Glossary of Library and Internet Terms.

Your Name: 
Your NSU e-mail address: 
Section/CRN number: 

STEP 5
Finding Articles using Health Related Resources

For your research needs in the BrainSmart program, you will be using the education and psychology databases mostly. But there may be some need to search health related databases when looking for articles relating to brain research.

Tips for Constructing a Search

Activity 5

Searching for Articles in the Medical Databases

Health & Wellness Resource Center and Alternative Health Module

  1. Access the "Alvin Sherman Library" at www.nova.edu/library/main/.
  2. Under "NSU Users", click on Distance Students, then under "Doing Research", click on "Databases".
  3. Type in your "Last Name" and your "University ID Number" when prompted, then click "Submit".
  4. Under "Browse by subject", click on select "Health and Medicine".
  5. Scroll down the page and select "Health & Wellness Resource Center and Alternative Health Module" database.
  6. In the Advanced Search Mode, perform a search. For example, (brain, brain research, education, cognition, thinking, learning, etc.)
Were Encyclopedia Resources available?
If yes, type the one you selected
  
Was the article available full text:  
   Yes No Not Sure
Was the article from a journal or a magazine 
   Journal Magazine Not Sure

CINAHL Plus with Full Text

  1. Access the "Alvin Sherman Library" at www.nova.edu/library/main/
  2. Under "Portals For NSU Users", click on Distance Students, then under "Doing Research", click on "Databases".
  3. Type in your "Last Name" and your "University ID Number" when prompted, then click "Submit".
  4. Under Browse by subject", select "Health and Medicine".
  5. Scroll down the page and select the "CINAHL Plus with Full Text" database.
  6. In the "Advanced Search Mode", perform a search. For example, (brain, brain research, education, cognition, thinking, learning, child development, etc.).

    Sample search:

    brain AND education AND (cognition OR learning). Note: Limit your search to "Research" as a Publication type.

Topic: 
  1. Break your topic into main concepts or key search terms.
  2. Consider synonyms for your search terms.
  3. Enter the information below:
First concept/search term: 
  OR
Second concept/search term: 
  OR
Third concept/search term:
(optional)
  OR

Input one or all of your key search terms from above and input them in the search box.

Number of Records Retrieved Using Keywords: 

Focusing a Search Using Descriptors

Descriptors allow you to do more focused searches on your specific subject. You can check the Descriptors or Subject Headings by clicking on the CINAHL Headings from the green tab above the search boxes, for example 'Brain Research' is NOT a subject heading in CINAHL, but 'Brain' is.When you begin your search, you will be searching the default fields. If you want to search for specific subject headings or descriptors, from the pull-down menu select either MW (Word in Subject Heading) or MH (Exact Subject Heading).Apply one or more Limits to your search:

  1. Only the last 10 years by inputting the years into the Year field. For example, 1995-2004Publication Type: Research
  2. A specific age group. Choose the Age Group field from the pull-down menu on the right-hand side of the search box, for example adolescence, childhood

Limit Applied:
Number of Records Retrieved Using Limit: 

 
  • On-Campus Students: If the article is not available full-text in any of the databases, try the following steps:
    • You may be able to retrieve your article from the shelves in the Periodical Collection. Search NovaCat, NSU's online library catalog, using the journal title to determine if the journal is available in paper or microform in the library. Journals in the library are arranged alphabetically by title.
    • If the journal is not in the library, you can order the article through our Interlibrary Loan department using the online request forms at www.nova.edu/library/serv/docdel/
  • Off-Campus Students:If the article is not available full-text in any of the databases, try the following steps:
    • If you are a distance student, you can order the article through our Document Delivery department using the online request forms at www.nova.edu/library/serv/docdel/
    • If you have time constraints, you may also try a local library in your area.
  • For additional help searching for full-text journal articles, contact the Reference Desk at (800) 541-6682 ext. 24613 or locally in Broward County at (954) 262-4613. Chat and email help are also available. See Ask A Librarian.

Congratulations!
You have successfully completed Step 5 of the Library Research Module for BrainSMART

To submit this portion of the Library Research Module, click on the "Send Information" button below.
 

 

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