1. Go to the Alphabetical List of Databases At

NOTE: If you have not already done so, you need to set up Off-Campus Access to be able to access the library’s databases from home. Instructions are available here:

http://www.fhsu.edu/ctc/helpdesk/accesstolib.shtml

Searching CINAHL

1. Go to the alphabetical list of databases at www.fhsu.edu/forsyth_lib/alphadata.shtml

2. Scroll down and click on CINAHL (you may see a box pop up asking you to sign in; type in your TigerTracks log-in, just like when you are getting into Blackboard).

3. Type your search words into the first search box. Type in just the most important, or “key” words. For example:

wound care

If desired, add other terms to make your search more specific, such as:

wound care

AND

veterans

4. Select "abstract" from the drop down menu next to the words "Select a Field". Generally if your terms are in the abstract of an article, they are a major focus. If you don’t get any results, widen your search by selecting “All Text”.

5. Scroll down to the lower part of the screen where it lists all the limits, and check the boxes for Full-Text (those that have the complete article available online)"peer-reviewed" (scholarly articles). Depending on your assignment, you may also want to check the box for “Research Article” and/or “Evidence-based”.

If you need newer articles, you can put in a date range.

6. Click Search. You'll see three columns, with your results listed in the middle column. You can mouse over the small magnifying glass at the end of the citation to see the abstract, and a link to the complete article if available. In the right and left hand columns are ways to narrow your search, by subject, date, full-text, etc. Note: clicking on a subject heading will find those articles which focus on that topic, rather than just mentioning it.

The most relevant articles will be at the top of the list. If you prefer to see the most recent articles first, select “DATE” from the “Sort by” drop-down menu at the top of the column.

Working with your results:

Click on the link for full-text to see the complete article. Click on the icons at the top of the article to e-mail it to yourself, print it, or save it to a folder.

Folders: You can put citations and articles into a folder to come back to later in your search. NOTE: If you want to keep these articles for longer than just this current searching session, you'll need to create a free account by clicking on "My EbscoHost" up at the top of the page of results. This will then allow you to have your own personal folder in which you can keep articles and searches for as long as you want, even after you log out.

MaryAlice Wade, Forsyth Library, Fort Hays State University