PubMed

Instructions for Searching Medline PubMed Database

PubMed is available on the Web here

First decide the search method - i.e. the choice between free text and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings). MeSH is a structured subject list (thesaurus) that allows a more precise search and may refer you to the correct term, or list possibilities to choose from. Search for one concept at a time, as this is easier and avoids confusion; terms can be combined afterwards.

Free text search -

Type the search term(s) in the Search box, click on the Go button and the results will be shown below. Click on the Clear button to empty the Search box and type in the next search term(s). Remember to use truncation (*), if appropriate.

Limiting -

Click on Limits from the Features bar to limit your search; you can do so before the search, or set limits afterwards and click on the Go button again. Publication Date, for instance, allows you to restrict your search to a year or range of years. Languages lets you restrict it to English. Publication Type allows you to choose a type of journal article, e.g. reviews. When you apply any limits, the check box next to Limits will be ticked. To turn off the limits, click on this box and the tick will be removed.

MeSH Browser -

Click on this from the sidebar menu. Type in the term, click on the Go button and it will be displayed in a hierarchical, or broader/narrower term, structure. You can attach subheadings, if you wish, and limit the search to a MeSH Major Term; click on Detailed display, to see these options. If you enter a term that is not in MeSH, the term will be mapped (translated) to display the appropriate MeSH term. Searches in MeSH include the narrower, more specific terms automatically (this is called Explode), but it can be turned off. Click on the Add button and then on the PubMed Search button, to effect the MeSH search.

Search Results -

To see the search results displayed, click on History from the Features bar and they will be listed with set numbers (#1 #2 etc.). These searches can be combined, using the Boolean operators, AND, OR, NOT. AND refines or narrows down the search, OR widens it, NOT excludes a concept. Type #1 AND #2 in the Search box, for example, and click on the Go button (these operators must be in upper case). To view the list of references from a search, click on the relevant number under Result

Displaying References -

References are displayed initially in a Summary format. You can choose the Abstract format by clicking on the author's name. Alternatively you can choose Abstract from the pull-down menu and click on the Display button, to see all references in this format. The Abstract format also indicates the articles that are linked to full-text electronic journals and that you may be able to access (LinkOut). You can also choose the LinkOut option from the Display menu.

Selecting References

To collect selected references, for printing or saving to a file, use the Clipboard. Click on the check box to the left of each reference you wish to select and then click on the Add to Clipboard button. The reference number colour will then change to green.

Printing or Saving as a File -

Click on Clipboard from the Features bar, to see all the selected references. You can also change the Display format here. To save the references as a file, insert your disk and click on the Save button. Rename your file of references and click on Save; the file will be saved as a text file. To print, use Show to increase the number of references displayed per page (500 maximum), click on the Text button (this displays the references in plain text) and then click on the Print button of your Web browser.