What are journals?
Journals are important sources of information for academic study and research providing up-to-date or detailed information on a subject. Sometimes referred to as periodicals or serials, journals may be in electronic or print format. The most efficient way of identifying relevant journal articles are through searching research databases. For more information, see our A-Z database list.
How to search a database
1. Start at the A-Z Database list. Choose your subject area,
2. Select a database. Clicking on a database will open a new tab.
3. Enter your search terms in the database search box. Tip: Use keywords and subject headings to improve your search results.
4. As you browse the results, look for these icons in order to access the full text of articles. You can also click on Pacific University icon
5. If no icons listed, place your request with ILLiad, Pacific University's Interlibrary Loan system.
These are just a few of the excellent journals with relevant research available through the Library
CINAHL Subject Headings
The CINAHL subject headings are based on the MeSH headings, with additional specific nursing and allied health headings added as appropriate. Each year, the headings are updated and revised relative to terminology used in these fields. In addition, new terms from MeSH, the National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Headings, may be added as well.
MeSH
MeSH is the National Library of Medicine's controlled vocabulary terminology. MeSH stands for Medical Subject Headings.
MeSH descriptors are arranged in both an alphabetic and a hierarchical structure. At the most general level of the hierarchical structure are very broad headings such as "Anatomy" or "Mental Disorders." More specific headings are found underneath the Broad terminology, e.g. "Anatomy - Ankle"; "Anatomy - Knee" or "Mental Disorders - Conduct Disorder." You may search using keywords or MeSH terminology.
* Don't try just one!
Search multiple databases - each database indexes a different collection of journals/sources.
* “Synonomize”
Don’t feel tied to a specific term – think of alternatives, and loosely associated terms.
* Start big…
Start your search with general terms – it’s easier to narrow down 1,000 results than it is to expand 0.
*…but keep it small
Don’t use phrases or overly complex search strings.
*"Speak the database's language"!
When you find a good article, look at the subject terms or keywords that the database has used to index that article. Use those terms in a new search. Speak the database's language - it'll respond.