Expert Keyword Searching

Choosing Databases

Which databases you choose to search will largely depend on two factors:

1. Your topic - because most academic databases are discipline specific, you'll want to select those databases that include literature on your topic.
2. How comprehensive you want to be - if you are only looking for a few articles, you might only search one database, but if you need to be comprehensive in the literature you include, then you'll probably search several databases.

Here are some short videos to help you become familiar with the strengths, weakness, and topical coverage of a few of our most popular databases.

A Brief Introduction to PubMed

Is CINAHL Right for You?

A Brief Introduction to OvidSP Medline

A Brief Introduction to APA PsychInfo

A Brief Introduction to the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews