CINAHL

What is CINAHL?

CINAHL stands for Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. It is an international database with coverage from 1982 onwards. You will need an Athens username and password. External members and mentors are not entitled to an Athens password.

How do I log in?

Do not use Internet Explorer to search CINAHL. It has a fault which makes it difficult to display the full text of articles. Use Firefox or Google Chrome.Go to the EBSCO home page at http://search.ebscohost.com/athens.asp Enter your Athens username and password and click Login>>.
You can also go to CINAHL using our A-Z database list then clicking on CINAHL. Enter your Athens username and password and click Login >>. Select CINAHL from the list by clicking on it.

How do I search?

You can do a basic search using your own keywords, but you will get better results by using CINAHL headings. Type your search term in the first box and click Search. CINAHL displays a list of relevant index terms, select by clicking on the box beside the term. You can choose more than one term from the list, then click Search database. If you want to search for more than one subject, it is best to run several individual searches, then combine them. 
Your search history should appear under the search form, if not, click the blue Search history/Alerts link below the search boxes. Select the searches to combine by clicking in the box beside each search. Then decide how you want to combine them by clicking either the grey Search with and (to narrow) or Search with or (to widen). You can build up your search using exact index terms by repeating these steps. You can display the subject tree by clicking on the term, and get more information on it by clicking the link to scope notes. Once you have run your search the first ten results will be displayed on screen.

Using other indexes. You can search using other indexes to guide you. Click More, then Indexes on the blue toolbar at the top of the screen. Select the index you want (such as Author or Journal title) from the drop drown list and follow the same steps as given above for using CINAHL headings.

How do I limit my search?

Some basic search limits are displayed in the Narrow results by column on the left on the results screen. Clicking them will automatically narrow your search and display the results. You can apply as many of these as you like, but you must do it one at a time. For a full list of options, click the blue << Search options link. Select the limits then click the grey Search button in the blue upper area of the screen. Results will be tagged with Limits set.

How do I widen my search?

If you want to search for different forms of a word, use the truncation and wildcard symbols when typing in your search term. The truncation symbol (*) will search for alternative endings of a word - teen* will find teen, teenager, or teens
The wildcard symbol (?) will search for alternative characters - labo?r will find labour and labor

How do I display results?

After you run a search, the first ten records will appear. Scroll through them using the up/down arrows or scroll bar. Before you can print, email, save or export to RefWorks, you have to add references to your folder. Near the foot of each reference is a yellow folder maked Add to folder. When you click it, the icon will change to  Remove from folder and the title will display in the Folder has items column to the right. To go in to your folder, click Folder view on the right. This displays all the items you have added. Before you can process them, you will need to select from this list. You can select individual items by clicking the box beside the title, or select them all by clicking the box beside select/deselect all at the top of the list.

How do I save results?

In your folder, click Select all then the blue Save button. Select the file menu from the browser toolbar, then save as. Choose the directory and filename where you wish to store your references (for example, h:search.txt). If you want to reuse your results after you have processed them, untick the box marked Remove these items from folder after saving. Click Back to return to the previous screen.

How do I email results?

This is a quick and easy way to process several EBSCO  PDF Full Text files. If you email a list of these, you will get one email listing the references, then individual emails with each PDF file as an attachment to it. In your folder, click Select all, type in your email address and click Send. If you want to reuse your results after you have processed them, untick the box marked Remove these items from folder after sending. Click Continue  then Back to return to the previous screen.

How do I print results?

In your folder, click Select all. Click Print again in the printer dialogue box. If you want to reuse your results after you have processed them, untick the box marked Remove these items from folder after printing. Return to results by clicking Back

How do I import results into RefWorks?

In your folder, click Select all. Select Direct export to RefWorks then Save. If you have a pop-up blocker on the PC, click on the yellow bar at the top of the screen and select and option to enable pop-ups from this site. The RefWorks window will open, click on Athens users. The references will be imported into your RefWorks account. If you want to reuse your results after you have processed them, untick the box marked Remove these items from folder after saving. Click Log off then close the window. Click Back to return to the previous screen.

What about full text articles?

Some references have direct links to the full text of articles. They are available in two formats, HTML or PDF. You can display and process them individually or select several and email them to yourself. Commercial databases do not display all of the full text links available at GCU, to check if an item is available in either electronic or print format, click 360 check availability. This links in to our journals management system and the library catalogue. Click on the blue links to link to electronic journals from suppliers such as ScienceDirect or directly from the publishers. You can also check what years are available in print by clicking the catalogue link. If the item is not available, try other local university library catalogues or apply for an inter library loan.

How do I use search history?

Click the blue Search history/Alerts link below the search boxes. Your searches will be displayed along with the keywords used and number of results found. You can print this out by clicking on the Print Search History link at the top of the list, then clicking the print icon on the browser toolbar. You can also use the Save Searches function, this allows you to save searches so that you can rerun them later. This first time you use save searches, you will need to register as an EBSCO user. It is easiest just to use your Athens username and password for this. You can choose how long you want to keep your searches on the EBSCO web site, but remember you must click on the grey Save button to save your searches.

How do I keep up to date?

First log in to My EBSCO host, you'll find the link at the top right of the screen. If you have not already registered, then set up your username and password to be the same as your Athens one (it makes it easier to remember!). Run the search on your chosen topic, then click Save Searches/Alerts. At the next screen name your search and choose whether you want it to be permanent saved search (so that you can retrieve it and run it any time in the future) or an alert. If you choose the alert option, you then should specify how often you want the search to be run, a range of pulication dates, and how long you want the service to continue. You than specify in which format you want your alerts to be delivered, email or RSS feed. To store the alert, click save. Now click Continue to confirm your instructions.

How do I run a cited references search?

Click Cited references on the blue toolbar at the top of the search screen. This will display a search form where you can enter author, journal, date and other information. Fill in as much or as little of the form as you want and then click search. CINAHL will then display a list of references which cite your article.

How do I change databases?

Once you have run some searches, you may want to run the same searches on a different database. Click on Choose databases >> below the blue toolbar at the top of the screen and select the database you want.

How do I finish off?

There is no logoff icon in this version of CINAHL, just close down the browser or navigate on to another screen. Your session will time out automatically.

Where can I get help?

Help is available during your search by clicking on the Help button at the top of the screen. You can also try the Searching CINAHL online tutorial which is available on SMILE, or book a training session by giving your name at the base. If you have any questions which cannot be answered by this guide please contact your librarian.