Database Review by Library PTS (Part Time Student Librarian) - Using Ovid Database

 

 Review by Chua Hoe Wei

Click the image above to access the database

1.   Which feature(s) I like the most about the database?
Ovid database has an amazingly wide variety of different journals and articles available to begin with. Despite having more than 400 different full text journals available, they are all relevant to healthcare and acts as a comprehensive source of reliable information for any student or professional. Furthermore, the “Advanced Search” feature and “Publication search” feature streamline the searching process when hunting down a relevant article to a topic or a specific  article.

First, select Journals@Ovid Full Text after you access the database from the Library portal and to ensure the items you find will be in complete, full text.

Then select “Advanced Search”.

 

 

 After that, enter the first keyword and click search. I had chosen to go for a topic which was related to my course of chiropractic.

 

Then enter the second keyword and search.

 Enter the third keyword and search.

After searching for the third keyword, you can view your search history at the top left corner which says “Search History”.

Select the first three keywords by checking their boxes. Then click “AND” below the history where it says “Combine with:”.  

 Immediately, Ovid will conveniently combine your three searches, giving you the results above. 

 

 To further ensure that the search results yield full text articles which will be of most use, click “Search History” again and tick box 4. Then, click Ovid Full Text Available and later, click Search button. This will make sure that results obtained from search 4 will only be comprised of full text articles (result no. 5)

From the results, I chose to get the PDF version of the article of search result 3 as it was the most relevant one.  

You can download as a PDF or print the article by clicking the available buttons on top right of the page.

2.   Does the database benefit you in your learning process?
Yes. The database was very useful to me as well as to my friends during semester 6 when we were planning for our research project the next semester and preparing our proposal. Planning the proposal required a lot of researching as we needed current and reliable information. The emphasis on evidence-based knowledge here in IMU further encourages students to use reliable sources such as Ovid database.

3.   Does the database suit you or any other programs and why?
Yes, Ovid definitely suits my program as well as most other programs. This is because all the journals are related to the healthcare field and with so much information and such a wide range available, students from IMU will undoubtedly be able to find useful and updated information on the topic of their choice.

4.   Would you recommend this database to your colleagues and why?
Yes I would as the information available would be critical to us in semester 6, 7 and 8 when we are starting and conducting  our research as well as undergoing clinical internship which requires the latest information on treatment techniques and guidelines.