Pubmed Lesson Plan Created by Jackie Stapleton, Winter 2010

PubMed Lesson Plan created by Jackie Stapleton, Winter 2010

Workshop Description: Need to find scholarly research articles in health and medicine? Then PubMed is the tool for you. Learn the skills and techniques to become an effective searcher in this free Internet search engine by the National Library of Medicine, U.S.

At the end of this session you will know:

·  Effective search techniques using PubMed

·  The importance and use of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) to focus results

·  How to locate the full text articles available at UW

Learning Objectives

v  Students will become knowledgeable on the content and type of information found in the PubMed database

v  Students will learn how to breakdown a research question and enter the search terms into the PubMed search box

v  Students will learn how use several functionalities of the PubMed search interface

v  Students will learn the importance of MeSH headings and where to find them in a PubMed article record

v  Students will learn how to obtain the full text articles

Note: The MeSH database, and clinical queries will not be covered. This is more suitable for an ‘Advanced PubMed’ session.

Addresses:
ACRL Standard 1: The information literate student determines the nature and extent of the information needed.
ACRL Standard 2: The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.

Content Outline/Methods:

1. Introduction to content of PubMed:

·  MEDLINE

·  Abstracts from peer reviewed biomedical journal

2. Access PubMed from UW Library homepage

·  PubMed homepage

3. Basic PubMed search

·  Develop a search statement. Step 1. Breakdown a research topic or question into main points (concept map)

·  Filters (full text, review articles)

·  PubMed results screen

4. Advanced search interface

·  Develop a search statement. Step 2. Build up the concept map

·  Enter search statement using (AND/OR, brackets, *) into Advanced search screen using Limits if applicable

Activity 1: Work in groups to build a concept map and translate into a PubMed search. Take up in class.

5. Article record screen

·  Abstract

·  MeSH terms (or in process, as supplied by publisher), include description of MeSH terms and importance to MEDLINE database

·  Related articles

Activity 2: Working individually, identify MeSH headings for the research question from Activity #1. Take up in class.

6. Automatic mapping

·  Explain concept and how this is unique from most other journal indexes

·  Details box

·  Effect of * and “ “ on PubMed search

Activity3: Review search strategy from activity 1. Would you make any changes? Work individually then review as a class.

7. How to obtain articles

·  Free full text (PubMedCentral)

·  Full text links from publishers

·  Getit@Waterloo (including ILL option)

·  Review full text limits on Advanced search screen

8. Getting help

·  PubMed tutorials

·  Liaison Librarians