Acquire - the best evidence
Select databases
Finding evidence involves searching health databases.
As no one database contains all the available health literature, it is important to widen your search. Depending on your topic, consider the following:
Pre-appraised/filtered databases
Several databases provide assessments of original studies as well as access to systematic reviews which help summarise the results from a number of studies. This is referred to as secondary literature.
- Cochrane LibraryPre-appraised database including systematic reviews of the effects of health care treatments or interventions.
- BMJ Best PracticePoint of care tool that provides latest research evidence, guidelines and expert opinion covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
- Joanna Briggs InstituteWide range of summarised and appraised evidence to inform practice.
- OTseekerContains abstracts of systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials relevant to occupational therapy. Trials have been critically appraised and rated to assist you to evaluate their validity and interpretability.
- PEDroPhysiotherapy Evidence Database provides access to details of randomised trials, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines.
- SpeechBITEProvides access to intervention studies across the scope of speech pathology practice.
Primary/Unfiltered databases
Contains original studies published in journals, often referred to as unfiltered or primary resources. Where available, searching these databases is more effective if you use a combination of keywords and subject headings (see 'database tutorials')
- MEDLINE (Ovid) 1946 -Citations and abstracts from biomedicine also covers much of the literature in biology and biochemistry, as well as fields such as molecular evolution.
- CINAHLAuthoritative database for nursing and allied health.
- Embase (Ovid)Major biomedical and pharmacological database.
- PsycINFOPsychology and related disciplines including psychiatry, nursing and sociology.
- SPORTDiscusComprehensive coverage of sport, exercise physiology, physical fitness and related disciplines.
- AMEDCovers allied health, complementary medicine & palliative care.
Find more databases
- Library Search - databasesFor a list of all databases recommended for your subject, go to the databases tab and choose from the 'Databases by category' menu, the alphabetical list or use the search bar.
