Accessing CINAHL

CINAHL is a very good database for nursing research, and has many extra useful filters and tools that can help you find the proper sources for what you need.

Conducting a Search

Let's say that you have the example from the previous page for a PICO(T) question, and you are trying to do a search. You can do this through Advanced Search.

Advanced search: Using advanced search can be beneficial because you can pull articles that have not been fully indexed yet but may still be relevant.

1. Find your terms. Consider the possible subject heading for the intervention: Health promotion program
   • In addition to general keywords, take a look at the CINAHL Subject Headings.
   • A subject term that can be used is simply "heath promotion". You can also use this as a keyword for articles that include health promotion but may not have been given a subject tag yet. 
2. Optional: Select filters
   • If one or more of your terms can be found in the filters, then select them there rather than in the search box. 
   • For our example: the age group (Child: 6-12 Years) can be found in the filters
   • Filter examples: 
     • Author is a Nurse
     • Age Group
     • In or Out Patient
     • Pregnancy 
     • Special Interest
     • Sex
     • First/Any Author is Nurse