Guides: First Aid: Find Scholarly Resources

Information Seeking Strategy

Step 3

At this stage, you should have a well defined question or questions that you are looking for answers about your health topic.

Think about the type of information you will need to answer your question. Do you know the pathology (cause and effect) and the epidemiology (incidences, distribution, and possible control) of a disease? Do you need statistics? Historical information on the medical research and treatment ? Current medical developments?
Identify the key concepts or keywords, they will be the terms you use in your search. (Do not type your question into the search box. You will not get the best results.)
Think about where you will need to look to find this information.
- Books
- Medical research journals
- Medical magazines
- Health-specific websites

Health and Medicine Databases

CINAHL Plus with Full Text This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
- Why Search Here?
  Best tool for medical research.
- What's Included?
  Nursing and allied health journals, references, evidence-based care sheets, quick lessons, and continuing education modules.
- Getting Articles?
  While most articles are full text some might be citation only, just click on the Get It! icon. If the article is available, it will be delivered to you via email.
Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
- Why Search Here?
  When you do not know where to start, start here! It's a multi-disciplinary full-text database.
- What's Included?
  Both scholarly and popular journals dating back to 1887, with the majority full text, on a wide variety of subjects.
- Getting Articles?
  While most articles are full text some might be citation only, just click on the Get It! icon. If the article is available, it will be delivered to you via email in about two weeks.
Health Source: Nursing/Academic This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
- Why Search Here?
  For researchers, allied health professionals, nurses and medical educators that focuses on many medical disciplines.
- What's Included?
  Covers nursing and allied health topics, including pediatric nursing, critical care, mental health, nursing management, medical law and more.
- Getting Articles?
  While most articles are full text some might be citation only, just click on the Get It! icon. If the article is available, it will be delivered to you via email.
Gale OneFile: Health and Medicine This link opens in a new window
- Why Search Here?
  Perfect resource for up-to-date information on the complete range of health care topics.
- What's Included?
  Full-text periodicals, reference books, pamphlets, and hundreds of videos demonstrating medical procedures and live surgeries.
MEDLINE This link opens in a new window

PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
PubMed includes MedLine, a comprehensive database of medical research, along with citations from other sources. Don't forget to use the limits on the left column of your search results to limit by year, free full-text available, type of article and more! Learn how to search using Medical Subject Headings for even faster search results.

How do I get into the databases off campus?

Don't have a barcode number? Apply online and our circulation staff will email you a barcode number to your Lone Star College email address. Need it sooner? Call our reference librarians at 281.312.1693 during library hours.