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Searching Databases for your Research Project

MEMORANDUM TO ALL PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

FROM:      JENNY GARCIA, SENIOR REFERENCE LIBRARIAN,

                   LOUIS CALDER MEMORIAL LIBRARY

DATE:        April 17, 2009

RE:             SEARCHING DATABASES FOR YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT

To avoid duplicating your study needlessly:   

To complete section 3A1 of your protocol form according to the rules of the ACUC, start by systematically searching MEDLINE/PubMed (1950 to the present) and BIOSIS Previews (1993 to the present).  These two databases are considered the gold standard for starting a thorough research. MEDLINE/PubMed, a multidisciplinary database and one of the largest in the world, covers a myriad of biomedical, pharmaceutical and basic science topics.  BIOSIS Previews, the largest database covering the life sciences, offers unique research materials unavailable in MEDLINE/PubMed or other databases. It includes the contents of Biological Abstracts and indexes national and international documents (journals, monographs, proceedings, reports, and others) in the biomedical and basic sciences.

In addition to accessing the two databases, a search in CRISP (Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects) should be tried as well. CRISP is a widely recognized database of federally funded (NIH, SAMSHA, HRSA, FDA, CDCP, AHCPR and OASH) biomedical research projects conducted at universities, hospitals and research institutions.      

You can access all three databases directly from the Louis Calder Memorial  Library’s homepage at http://calder.med.miami.edu/ by clicking “E-Databases” and then on the “All Databases” link.  To search MEDLINE and BIOSIS Previews a password is not needed, but we encourage that you apply for one; otherwise access will be generic and you will not be able to save your literature searches.  Jenny Garcia, Reference Librarian at Calder Library, will show you how to set up a password: (305) 243-5439.

Besides searching the databases mentioned above, it is advisable that you try as well a  database that specializes in your field of study.  For example, a scientist in the field of Aquatic Sciences that conducts a search in ASFA (Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts) may find that his results complement those of MEDLINE/PubMed and BIOSIS Previews. To access ASFA from Calder Library’s homepage at http://calder.med.miami.edu  click on the “E-Databases” link and then locate “Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (CSA)” in the alphabetical list. At the CSA website, click the “Specific Databases” link. ASFA is listed alphabetically.

After searching the basic trio (MEDLINE/PubMed, BIOSIS Previews, CRISP) if you want to be more thorough you may try other databases that include animal research - such as Current Contents, Zoological Record and TOXLINE.  Briefly, Current Contents Connect indexes the most recent journal articles in Biology, Medicine and the Basic Sciences. Zoological Record is the world’s leading taxonomic reference database providing references to animal biology and biodiversity. TOXLINE has numerous references on toxic effects of drugs and chemicals, and forms part of TOXNET, a cluster of databases covering toxicology and hazardous substances.  These three databases are accessible through Calder Library’s homepage at http://calder.med.miami.edu/  by clicking on “E-Databases” and then the “All Databases” link.

For animal testing alternatives or less painful procedures in animal testing:

To complete section 3E3 of your protocol form according to the rules of the ACUC, search systematically as before: MEDLINE/PubMed and BIOSIS Previews, but now also include ALTWEB.   MEDLINE/PubMed and BIOSIS Previews because both are major databases and include some references on animal testing alternatives.  ALTWEB because it is an extensive, current awareness website, widely recognized by scientists in animal research as a clearinghouse of information on alternatives and the 3R’s. ALTWEB also provides unique references that are not available in MEDLINE and other databases covering animal studies.  ALTWEB can be accessed at http://altweb.jhsph.edu/

After checking the above databases, if you want to make sure that you are not missing relevant sources, you might have to search several databases in order to obtain a thorough list of references on alternatives.  Some useful sites available thru the ACUC homepage http://www.iacuc.med.miami.edu/ can be found by clicking the link “Animal Alternatives”.  The databases will appear listed alphabetically: AVAR, AWIC, CAAT, NORINA, UCCAA, and more.   If you have a teaching project it’s essential that you check NORINA or AVAR. These two databases provide audiovisual products, computer simulations and information on alternatives to animal use in research and teaching.

For inexperienced searchers, or if you want to improve your searching skills: Calder Library conducts MEDLINE/PubMed classes free of charge for faculty, students, and staff. To register online go to the Louis Calder Memorial Library’s homepage at http://calder.med.miami.edu/ and click on “Forms” and then on “Register for a Class”.

To save you time and effort, two permanently saved searches (filters) in Medline and in BIOSIS Previews are available, containing the distinctive alternatives vocabulary used in animal studies. For help on how to use the alternatives filters, or for tips and suggestions concerning your search strategies for sections 3A1 or 3E3 of the protocol form, contact Jenny Garcia, Senior Reference Librarian, at the Louis Calder Memorial Library (305) 243-5439.