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Branching Out: Introduction to Sources for Public Health Research. Social Sciences Research Toolkit. Objectives. Identify starting points for public health library research Identify additional resources for public health research
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Branching Out: Introduction to Sources for Public Health Research Social Sciences Research Toolkit Kay Hogan Smith, MLS, MPH, CHES
Objectives • Identify starting points for public health library research • Identify additional resources for public health research • Demonstrate ways to use specific databases to locate public health resources • Define grey literature and its uses in public health, as well as resources for locating public health-related grey literature
Where to Start? • Good old PubMed* – Available through Lister Hill Library (http://www.uab.edu/lister/) and Sterne Library (http://www.mhsl.uab.edu/2009/databases/he/) • Evidence-Based Public Health Libguide- http://libguides.lhl.uab.edu/ebph [*Note: Also available directly at pubmed.gov – however, use the Library interfaces while you’re at UAB. It makes getting fulltext articles easier!]
PubMed Help? • See http://libguides.lhl.uab.edu/PubMed • Ask a Librarian! http://www.uab.edu/lister/ask
Other Public Health Resources • Cochrane Library • Popline • Toxnet • PHPartners • Others – see http://www.uab.edu/lister/databases, “Public Health” category
Don’t Forget – Social Sciences Databases! • PsycINFO • Sociological Abstracts • PAIS • Others – see http://www.mhsl.uab.edu/2009/databases/ or http://www.uab.edu/lister/databases
What about “Grey Literature”? • Definition: In general, grey literature is material (in print or online) that is not controlled by commercial publishers. Examples: reports, official documents, proceedings, informal communications, pamphlets, etc. • Grey literature can provide excellent resources for public health research (as well as prevent “publication bias”)!
Where do I find grey literature? • Although grey literature can be excluded by some databases such as PubMed, others such as Cochrane Library and PopLine do include grey literature. • Use Google and Google Scholar Advanced, incorporating domain extensions such as .org in your search strategy. • Use your critical evaluation skills to make sure the source is reliable!
Other Grey Literature Resources • NYAM Grey Literature Report - http://www.greylit.org/ • MEDNAR (“Deep Web Searching”) - http://mednar.com/mednar/ • LHL LibGuide on Grey Literature - http://libguides.lhl.uab.edu/GreyLit
In Summary... • We touched on starting points and points beyond for thorough public health research. • Remember, public health is a very broad field – it may require you to use many different types of resources besides health, such those in economic, government, social sciences and other disciplines. • Your librarian is your friend! Call us – Kay H. Smith, 934-2208 and Brooke Becker, 934-6364!