Cochrane library

What is the Cochrane Library?

It is a database which contains the full text of the regularly updated systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare prepared by The Cochrane Collaboration.

When to use the Cochrane Library

Use this database for answering very specific types of questions about the effectiveness of a treatment. It is not useful for general healthcare information such as "Are there any new drugs for asthma?" or for questions about the cause, prognosis, epidemiology or risk factors for an illness. Use other databases such as CINAHL or Medline to find this information. Don't use this database to find journal articles as it only indexes reviews!

Some definitions
A systematic review is a review of a clearly formulated question that uses systematic and explicit methods to identify, select and critically appraise relevant research, and to collect and analyse data from the studies that are included in the review.
A randomised controlled trial (RCT) is an experiment in which investigators randomly allocate eligible people into (for example, treatment and control) groups to receive or not to receive one or more interventions that are being compared.
A Meta analysis is a statistical technique for assembling the results of several studies in a review into a single numerical estimate.

How do I log in?

Do not use Internet Explorer to search the Cochrane Library. It has a fault which makes it difficult to display the full text of articles. Use Firefox or Google Chrome.Go to http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/mrwhome/106568753/HOME You don't need to log in, access is free. You can also go to the Cochrane Library using our Databases at then click the Cochrane Library.  

How do I search?

Using the Quick search box is the easiest way to search. Enter your terms in the search box in the blue section at the top right of the screen and click Go. You will see a list of results. Click Record to see the full database record. To see the PDF version, click the link at the top left of the screen.

Below the quick search box, there are more search options. If you want to search by MeSH term, click the MeSH search option. Type your subject term into the box and click either the Thesaurus or Go to MeSH trees button. This will display MeSH terms in either a list or tree format. Select your search option using the check boxes, then run the search by clicking the View Results button.

For more complex searches, choose the Advanced Search option. This gives you a search form which allows you to combine search terms using and, or, and not. You can choose which fields to search using the drop down menus. You can choose which section of the Cochrane Library to search and specify the date range. You can also specify whether you wish to search only entries which have been updated or changed in any way. Enter your choices then click the search button.
If you want to search for different forms of a word, use the wildcard symbol (*) when typing in your search term - teen* will find teen, teenager, or teens

How do I combine searches?

Click Search history. This tells you how many searches you have run. Combine them by typing the number into the search box (for example #1 and #3) then click Go.Remember, and narrows a search as the computer finds articles containing both subjects. Or widens a search as the computer finds articles on either subject.

The Search Results displays the number of references in each database in the Cochrane Library – Cochrane Reviews, DARE, CENTRAL, HTA and NHSEED. Cochrane Reviews are displayed on the Search Results page.

How do I save or print results?

Select search results by clicking the box beside the titles or the Select all option at the foot of the list. Now click either the Export all Results or Export Selected Citations button. At the next screen select your file type (usually PC) and export format (usually Abstract and citation) then click Go. Insert a USB pen drive. A pop-up window containing the data will appear, use the file menu to either save or print the data. Close the window when you are finished and use the browser's back button to go back tot he results screen.

How do I save to RefWorks?

Save the file of results to the desktop. Log in to RefWorks using the Athens users option. Select the References menu from the toolbar and click Import. Use the drop-down menu to select Wiley Interscience from the Import filter menu. Use the Browse button to select the file from your desktop, then click Import to read in the data. Remember to move the references to another folder to store them safely.

How do I log off?

Wiley Inrterscience has no logoff button, just navigate away to another page on your browser or close it down.

Where can I get help?

There are usful hints on the right of the screens. If you have any questions which cannot be answered by this guide please contact your librarian or make an appointment at The Base.