No.15: Searching and saving in EbscoHost
- Sample search question
- Search using thesaurus
- Search using keyword
- Save a search history (permanent save)
- Create an alert
- Run a saved search
- More help
This guide was created using CINAHL; it can be adapted for use with EbscoHost's Medline and PsycINFO.
Sample search question
Can migraine or cluster headaches in children be treated effectively with sumatriptan?
Search concepts: migraine, cluster headache, sumatriptan
Limits: English, Child 0-18
Search using thesaurus
- Search the thesaurus by selecting CINAHL Headings.
- Enter the first search concept 'migraine' and select Browse to map to the thesaurus.
- The thesaurus term for migraine is Migraine. Select the term, then Search Database at the top of the page. In this instance, the term migraine does not have any narrower terms so there is no need to Explode the term first. This will take you to the main search page, where you will see the first line of the search history.
- Repeat steps 1-3 for each of the other search concepts. Explode each one to include narrower terms. In this example, none of the search concepts have narrower terms. The search history will now look like this:
Combine search lines
Combine your search lines using the appropriate Boolean operator, for example AND, OR, then select Search.
Apply limits
The search history now looks like this:
Limit to English language and Child 0-18 (Infant, Newborn 0-1 month; Infant, 1-23 months; Child, Preschool 2-5 years; Child, 6-12 years; and Adolescence, 13-18 years). Select Search, then View Results to retrieve all citations.
Limits remain applied for all subsequent searches. Select New Search to clear limits and start a clean search.
Search using keyword
A keyword search may be required to expand retrieval, or when no appropriate thesaurus term exists. Consider synonyms, British/American spelling variations, and singular/plural terms. Deselect Suggest Subject Terms before performing a keyword search.
Use truncation to maximise results:
- Use * to retrieve unlimited suffix variation: arter* will retrieve artery, arteries, arterial, etc.
- Use ? to replace one character: wom?n
- Use # to replace 0 or 1 character: p#ediatric, gyn#ecology
Save a search history (permanent save)
- Select Save Searches/Alerts, located above Search History.
- Log in to My EBSCOhost or register by selecting I'm a new user.
- Name your search, add an optional description, and select Save Search (Permanent) from the Save Search As option.
- Select Save.
Creat an alert
Save your search as an Alert to have it run regularly and the results emailed to you.
- Choose Alert from the Save Search As options.
- Specify the Frequency*.
- Select Bibliographic Manager in Alert Options if you are planning to export the results to RefWorks or EndNote.
- Enter your email address.
- Enter your subject, for example Database name: Project name.
- Select Save.
* Alerts run for a maximum of one year. You will receive email close to expiry time prompting you to reactivate it.
Run a saved search
- Open the relevant database.
- Select Search History/Alerts.
- Select Retrieve Searches.
- You will be prompted to log in to My EBSCOHost.
- Locate the search in the list and select Retrieve Saved Search.
- Select Rerun to display the hits for each search line.
More help
- Select Ask a Librarian within EbscoHost or from the library website and receive a response within 24 hours, Monday to Friday.
- Fact Sheet no.1: Databases, and planning a search.
- Fact Sheet no.12: Importing into EndNote.
- Fact Sheet no.16: Managing EbscoHost search results.
- Sign up for free training in the library.