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Ovid databases

Guide to using Ovid databases

Searching for a topic: Advanced Search

When you first open any Ovid database the Advanced Search screen is displayed as the default. This is the best search option for carrying out a thorough subject search and to develop a systematic search strategy.

When carrying out a search on a subject you should first consider what the key concepts, or target concepts, are for that topic. When building an Advanced Search, you should search for each of your target concepts one at a time before combining them together. 

For comprehensive results, you should carry out a search for subject headings by doing a thesaurus search as well as doing a textword search for each of your concepts. You can then combine your searches together.

Advanced Search on the Ovid Platform

Advanced Search on the Ovid Platform: video from Wolters Kluwer.