Module Three

The electronic index that I used was the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, or CINAHL. CINAHL and other electronic indexes are effective to find journal articles on specific topics. In order to use these indexes appropriately, one must have an idea as to what they wish to research and the ability to use tools within the index to narrow down the idea to specific research topics. The electronic indexes are useful for several reasons. CINAHL allows the user to search major headings and terms and then explode those major headings to include subheadings and ideas. By scanning articles within CINAHL, the user can identify major terms that are used within the articles that pertain to the research topic. Once terms are identified, the user can go back and forth between searches and results lists to further narrow down their topic. In addition, the electronic indexes allow the user to easily organize and save journal articles. Finally, the electronic indexes, when accessed through the University VPN, allows for access to full text articles at no cost.

A guideline index such as the National Guideline index by Clearinghouse allows the user to research specific guidelines on treatment and disease processes. This was the first time that I researched using a guideline index and I thought that it was a very valuable and useful tool. The information on the guideline index was up to date, and provided a public resource for evidence based clinical practice guidelines. The site also allowed for comparison between different treatment guidelines and outcomes. This site is very specific to clinical practice, and would be very useful in addressing specific topics in relation to clinical practice and patient treatment regimens.

The web search engine that I used was Google. Web search engines allow the user to search on any topic of choice. Results within the web search engine include Books, Journal articles, and web pages for organizations, private web pages, facebook entries, personal opinions and blog entries. I feel that the web search engines are useful in simple searches such as definitions and allow access to specific organization sites such as the American Heart Association and drug search indexes. The web search engines help the user to expand ideas about a specific search and allow the user to see related terms and suggestions. There are several downsides to search engines. First of all, results can include public opinion and may not be based on evidence based practice. Second, journal articles may not be available for public use without a steep purchase price. Finally, search engines may provide the user with information that is not relevant to the search at hand.

I think that in performing searches in relation to clinical practice and research topics, the use of multiple sites and search engines provide the user with the broadest coverage of the topic at hand. By using a combination of resources, all research in relation to the topic can be accessed.