Discussion: Searching Databases When You Decide To Pu 028195 ✓ Solved

Discussion: Searching Databases When you decide to purchase a

When you decide to purchase a new car, you first decide what is important to you. If mileage and dependability are the important factors, you will search for data focused more on these factors and less on color options and sound systems. The same holds true when searching for research evidence to guide your clinical inquiry and professional decisions. Developing a formula for an answerable, researchable question that addresses your need will make the search process much more effective. One such formula is the PICO(T) format.

In this Discussion, you will transform a clinical inquiry into a searchable question in PICO(T) format, so you can search the electronic databases more effectively and efficiently. You will share this PICO(T) question and examine strategies you might use to increase the rigor and effectiveness of a database search on your PICO(T) question.

To Prepare: Review the materials offering guidance on using databases, performing keyword searches, and developing PICO(T) questions provided in the Resources. Review the Resources for guidance and develop a PICO(T) question of interest to you for further study. Post your PICO(T) question, the search terms used, and the names of at least two databases used for your PICO(T) question. Then, describe your search results in terms of the number of articles returned on original research and how this changed as you added search terms using your Boolean operators. Finally, explain strategies you might make to increase the rigor and effectiveness of a database search on your PICO(T) question. Be specific and provide examples.

Paper For Above Instructions

PICO(T) Question: In patients with chronic knee pain (P), does participating in a structured physical therapy program (I) compared to no physical therapy (C) improve the quality of life (O) over a six-month period (T)?

Search Terms: Chronic knee pain, physical therapy, quality of life, structured program.

Databases Used: CINAHL, PubMed.

Once I formulated my PICO(T) question, I initiated my database searches using CINAHL and PubMed. For CINAHL, I used the search terms “chronic knee pain” AND “physical therapy” AND “quality of life.” This key phrase yielded approximately 75 articles. Upon reviewing the results, I found that many articles were related to non-structured interventions, so I refined my search using the Boolean operator “AND” with the additional term “structured program” to narrow down the results to a more relevant selection. The number of results decreased to 42, which indicated that the inclusion of the specific structure significantly refined the output.

Moving to PubMed, I started with a broader search of “knee pain” AND “physical therapy.” The initial search returned 150 articles. After analyzing a few abstracts, I realized that many articles focused on postoperative rehabilitation rather than chronic knee pain specifically. Therefore, I appended “chronic” alongside “knee pain,” which then returned about 90 articles. Finally, incorporating the search term "quality of life" reduced the results further to 55 relevant articles. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of strategic searching and the impact of Boolean operators in refining research outcomes.

To enhance the rigor and effectiveness of my database searches, several strategies might be employed:

  • Utilizing Advanced Search Features: Most databases offer advanced search options that allow for the specification of fields such as title, abstract, and keywords. Leveraging these features can significantly refine search results and increase relevancy.
  • Using Controlled Vocabulary: Databases such as CINAHL and PubMed utilize controlled vocabularies or subject headings (like MeSH in PubMed). Using these terms can yield more consistent and relevant results when searching.
  • Implementing Boolean Operators Effectively: Understanding how to combine terms using AND, OR, and NOT can help narrow or broaden search results. For example, using “OR” between synonyms can ensure the search captures all relevant studies.
  • Reviewing References of Relevant Articles: Once a few pertinent articles are found, reviewing their reference lists can reveal additional studies that may have been missed in initial searches.
  • Adjusting Search Terms Dynamically: Based on initial findings, adapting the search terms can continuously improve the breadth and depth of the search.
  • Setting Date Limits: Implementing publication date filters can help in finding the most current evidence, which is crucial in fields like healthcare.

For instance, during my search process, beginning with broad terms and gradually refining them as I encountered irrelevant articles allowed me to hone in on studies that directly addressed my clinical question. This approach not only increased the efficiency of my search but also ensured that the articles I sourced were more aligned with my PICO(T) question. Ultimately, the incorporation of systematic searching techniques is crucial for an effective literature review, especially when the goal is to inform clinical practice decisions with evidence-based findings.

References

  • Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
  • Davies, K. S. (2011). Formulating the evidence based practice question: A review of the frameworks for LIS professionals. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 6(2), 75–80.
  • Stillwell, S. B., Fineout-Overholt, E., Melnyk, B. M., & Williamson, K. M. (2010). Evidence-based practice, step by step: Asking the clinical question: A key step in evidence-based practice. American Journal of Nursing, 110(3), 58–61. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ..11129.79.
  • Melnyk, B. M., Fineout-Overholt, E., Stillwell, S. B., & Williamson, K. M. (2009). Evidence-based practice: Step by step: Igniting a spirit of inquiry. American Journal of Nursing, 109(3), 49–52. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ..53883.58.
  • Stillwell, S. B., Fineout-Overholt, E., Melnyk, B. M., & Williamson, K. M. (2010). Evidence-based practice, step by step: Searching for the evidence. American Journal of Nursing, 110(5), 41–47. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ..24134.7e.
  • Walden University Library. (n.d.-a). Databases A-Z: Nursing.
  • Walden University Library. (n.d.-c). Evidence-based practice research: CINAHL search help.
  • Walden University Library. (n.d.-e). Evidence-based practice research: MEDLINE search help.
  • Library of Congress. (n.d.). Search/browse help - Boolean operators and nesting.
  • Walden University Library. (n.d.-h). Quick Answers: How do I find a systematic review article related to health, medicine, or nursing?

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