FIVE Easy Steps To Help with Your PICO Assessment
Step 1: Create a PICO question and identify search terms
Step 2: View Virtual Tutorials of Searching in Databases via UTS LIbrary's YouTube channel
There are four, one for each database: Medline (RCT) , CINAHL (RCT) , Cochrane (SR) and Netting the Evidence (CPG)
Step 3: Read through the Searching Tips attachment while you try doing the searches yourself.
This should also give you a good general understanding to apply to your own PICO question.
Step 4: Read FAQs for Trouble Shooting
How do I access library databases?
The databases you will use are located at UTS library> Find Databases > Nursing, Midwifery and Health> Evidence Based Practice, use your UTS email login to log on the databases.
How many keywords should I use to search my scenario?
Don't try adding too many concepts in the first search, 1 to 3 concepts work well for the most of scenarios. First see how many results you retrieve and if there are too many, you can limit by adding another concept or using other limits available in the database (eg: dates, last five years; publication type etc)
What should I do if my search retrieves no result?
This happens when your keyword is too narrow. Try to do these:
- Choose a broader concept
- Remove one of the concepts you have searched
- Use synonyms. For example, you can try "hand hygiene" for "hand washing".
When search In CINAHL and MEDLINE, what should I do if I can't find an appropriate subject heading to match my keyword?
Search by subject heading will retrieve more comprehensive and accurate results. However don't give up if you can't find an appropriate subject heading, try to use synonyms of that term and search via keyword. The best articles may actually be indexed with a different subject heading.
If you still can't find a good subject heading, select the option "search by keywords" which is listed in the bottom of the suggested heading terms.
Where do I find Randomized Controlled Trials in CINAHL?
In CINAHL, Randomized Controlled Trials can be selected by clicking on "Refine your search results" (on the top left side of your search result screen)> "Show more" (under the date slider) > "Publication Types"
Where do I find Randomized Controlled Trials in MEDLINE?
In MEDLINE, Randomized Controlled Trials can be selected by clicking on "Additional Limits" (above your research results) > "Publication Types"
Where do I find Practice Guidelines in ProQuest Health & Medicine?
In ProQuest Health & Medicine, Practice Guidelines can be found by clicking on "Document Types" (on the right hand side of search result screen)> "Show More" > "Instructions/Clinical Guidelines"
How do I find Practice Guidelines in Netting The Evidence?
Netting the Evidence is a customised search engine within Google. It includes many Clinical Practice guidelines which are available freely on the internet and these are made available by a variety of government organisations and hospitals. There are no special features here to help you search, just searching using words: the words of your topic plus "Clinical Practice Guideline". Netting the Evidence is listed in Find Databases with the Evidence Based Practice databases under Nursing Midwifery and Health.
Because there is no way to limit the document type to "Practice Guideline" in Netting the Evidence, you need to evaluate your search results carefully. Some articles might not be practice guidelines, they might just include "practice guideline" as a topic.
Step 5: Attend a Face to Face Session in the Library
Many students will find that viewing the videos and working through the searching tips will be sufficient information to be well underway with doing the assessment task. If you need more help, attend a workshop in the library in week 2 - these are being held at both City and Kuring-gai campuses and can be booked via the events page on the library website. However, you need to attempt to compile your PICO question and develop your search strategy before you come to the session. If you have specific questions, post them on the Library Search Discussion Board in UTS Online for Evidence for Nursing. It’s very likely that others will be asking similar questions.
Other useful resources:
Using PICO to formulate a search question </span>Turning search terms into a search (Tutorials from Bodleian Health Care library at Oxford University)
