Searching Databases Week 4 Discussion

Searching Databases 2week 4 Discussion Searching Databa

This discussion focuses on the process of searching academic databases to gather evidence-based information regarding whether exercise programs can be used as a preventative strategy to reduce falls among the elderly. It explores the use of multiple databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, and the Walden Library to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles, incorporating strategies like advanced search filters, Boolean operators, and specialized search tools to improve the relevance and rigor of search results.

Paper For Above instruction

Effective search strategies are fundamental for evidence-based practice, particularly when investigating specific clinical questions such as the role of exercise in preventing falls among the elderly. This inquiry aligns with the PICO(T) framework, which emphasizes Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time, focusing here on elderly individuals, exercise intervention, and fall prevention outcomes.

In my research process, I utilized several reputable academic databases, including CINAHL, PubMed, and the Walden University Library, to ensure comprehensive coverage of literature. Initially, I searched unfiltered within CINAHL, which yielded over twenty thousand results, predominantly related to falls and their consequences in geriatric populations. To refine this broad search, I applied specific filters, such as selecting "Full Text" articles from peer-reviewed sources, which helps ensure the credibility and relevance of findings (Badenoch & Heneghan, 2002).

Furthermore, in PubMed, I leveraged the advanced search filters to narrow down results to studies published within the last five years—an essential step to ensure that the evidence is current and applicable. I used Boolean operators like AND, OR, and NOT to combine keywords such as "elderly falls" and "prevention," which effectively narrowed down the search to relevant articles. Boolean operators are instrumental in creating precise search strategies and are recommended for maximizing relevant results in medical databases (Skelly & Ecker, 2010).

In addition, I utilized specialized features such as PubMed's Clinical Inquiries, which link question types like therapy or prognosis to tailored search strategies that improve retrieval accuracy (Schardt et al., 2007). These tools help in discovering high-quality, relevant evidence by aligning search parameters with specific clinical questions.

Within the Walden Library, I employed Boolean terms to enhance search specificity, which resulted in a more manageable set of results—reducing the initial 257 to around 55,734 articles. By applying database filters and search widgets, I further refined results to obtain recent and relevant publications, focusing on studies directly pertinent to fall prevention in the elderly (Walden University Library, 2020). Such filtering processes ensure that the evidence collected is both current and applicable to the research question.

Research by Ho et al. (2016) underscores that searching across at least three different databases can retrieve approximately 90% of relevant literature, highlighting the importance of breadth in database selection. To enhance search effectiveness and rigor, I incorporated alternative terms and synonyms, such as "reducing elderly falls," as suggested by Badenoch & Heneghan (2002). Using variation in terminology ensures a more comprehensive literature search, capturing studies that may use different keywords or phrasing.

Managing search results can be challenging due to the volume of information retrieved. Therefore, I utilized search widgets and filters within database platforms to prioritize the most recent and relevant articles, making the review process more efficient. For instance, filtering results to include only recent publications ensures the incorporation of the latest evidence in fall prevention strategies (CINAHL, PubMed).

In conclusion, utilizing a combination of advanced search techniques—such as Boolean operators, filters, specialized search tools, and multiple database searches—is crucial in conducting a thorough literature review. These strategies help in filtering large amounts of data to extract high-quality, relevant evidence to inform clinical practice and research on fall prevention among the elderly. Given the aging population and the significant health implications of falls, employing rigorous database searching techniques ensures that practitioners access the most pertinent and up-to-date evidence to guide intervention strategies.

References

  • Badenoch, D., & Heneghan, C. (2002). Evidence-based medicine toolkit (2nd ed.). BMJ Books.
  • Skelly, A., & Ecker, E. (2010). Conducting a winning literature search. Evidence-based spine-care journal, 1(1), 9–14.
  • Schardt, C., Adams, M., Owens, T., Keitz, S., & Fontelo, P. (2007). Utilization of the PICO framework to improve searching PubMed for clinical questions. Walden University Library.
  • Walden University Library. (2020). Keyword searching: Finding articles on your topic: Boolean terms. Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library
  • Ho, G. J., Liew, S. M., Ng, C. J., Hisham Shunmugam, R., & Glasziou, P. (2016). Development of a Search Strategy for an Evidence Based Retrieval Service. PLoS ONE, 11(12), e0167218. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0167218
  • Skelly, A., & Ecker, E. (2010). Conducting a winning literature search. Evidence-Based Spine Care Journal, 1(1), 9-14.
  • Badenoch, D., & Heneghan, C. (2002). Evidence-based medicine toolkit. BMJ Books.
  • Schardt, C., Adams, M., Owens, T., Keitz, S., & Fontelo, P. (2007). Utilization of the PICO framework to improve searching PubMed for clinical questions. Walden University Library.
  • Walden University Library. (2020). Keyword searching: Finding articles on your topic: Boolean terms. Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library

Related Assignments