NRS201: Introduction to Nursing: Nursing Research

Use scholarly, peer-reviewed nursing literature (journal articles) because:

• These articles contain the highest quality of evidence to support your cases
• These articles will help you track changes in the field
• These articles  reveal what research has already been done and what gaps exist in the research
• These articles are required for getting good grades!

• Use the Subject headings (thesaurus) to find out the official terminology.
• Advanced Search limit options include:  Articles in which any author is a nurse, nursing journal subset, patient demographics (age, gender)
• Use "Find It" button to find full-text
• Child*: Finds child, children, childhood, etc.
• *natal:  Finds prenatal, antenatal, postnatal, etc.
• Quotation marks:  Finds phrases e.g. “acute pain” ; (AND is the default)
• Plurals: Are found automatically, e.g. hand finds hand or hands

Can I use these databases off-campus?  Yes. Nearly all library databases are available both on- and off-campus. Just use your UD network username & password when prompted if you are off-campus.

What if the article I want isn't there? Many articles in are provided citation-only. Use the Find It button provided to find full-text in another database or in print (if available), or to access the interlibrary loan (ILL) request form for articles our library doesn't have through our current subscriptions.

What's Interlibrary Loan?  If UD doesn't own an article (or a book, DVD, or other library material), we can usually get it for you free!  We partner with other libraries to provide their materials for you through our Interlibrary Loan service. The easiest way to request Interlibrary Loan is to locate an article in a library database and use the Find It button. You will simply need to log in, then the request form will auto-fill for you. Ensure it completed the form correctly, then use the Submit button. You'll be notified via UD email when your article is available for you, usually within 2-3 business days.

What if I need help?  Any time you need help with research in a nursing class, or any class, contact a librarian. Contact information for the librarian for the nursing department, is on this research guide.

You are also welcome to stop by the Reference Desk, near the 1st-floor computer area, in the library. No appointment necessary.