Skip to Main Content

Database Searching: Searching

Medical databases are organized collections of health data, stored electronically and accessible from a computer. Each serves a unique function, yet most are integrated and work together.

The Research Question

The Research Question

Research is often conducted to answer a question. The research question must be well formulated to provide focus on a topic that is being investigated effectively. Developing a strong research question is a critical step in academic research. Any search in a database requires analysis of the research question.  For public health research, developing a strong research question requires considering real-world health challenges, policy implications, and evidence-based interventions.

To effectively use library databases, start by formulating a clear research question and then identifying key concepts and their synonyms.  Use these to build effective search strategies, combining keywords with Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine your results. 

Basic Search Strategies

Librarians recommend using 6 basic practices to make database searches effective. 

The 6 practices are:

  1. Conceptualize your search;
  2. Use the appropriate vocabulary;
  3. Combine terms & concepts using Boolean operators;
  4. Revise your search strategy;
  5. Search more than one database;
  6. Learn database search rules & peculiarities.

Try these strategies to see how they improve your database searches. Users can get additional assistance through our Ask a Librarian service.

The difference between subject headings and keywords

Identifying your concepts

Identifying Concepts

Typing the entire research question into a database search bar is not the way databases are designed to be searched. This is because the database utilizes fields and their data values for searching. For each concept, the user must find subject headings and generate keywords that are representative of the concepts.  

What are the primary concepts in the research question? Consider what group(s) you will be discussing in your research. Think about what the treatment(s), therapies, intervention(s), or program(s) to be examined. Examine the various factors to be investigated that relate to those treatments/therapies/interventions/programs for the selected population. This process reflects the formulation of the research question itself.

 

Example research question:

Are anti-smoking campaigns effective interventions for e-cigarette use among high school students?

In the question above there are three major concepts: anti-vaping smoking; e-cigarettes; and high school students.

Over the next few pages you will find out how to search for subject headings and generate keywords for each highlighted concept. The next step is to put your subject headings and keywords together with Boolean operators, which you will use to combine concepts together.

What is PICO?

PICO stands for:

  • Population/Patient/Problem
  • Intervention
  • Comparison 
  • Outcome

It is a framework for research questions that helps you focus your research into distinguishable categories. Use the resources from the National Library of Medicine to understand the PICO framework and learn how to formulate a research question. You can also check out the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions on how to develop a research question.

PICO Components Applied to a Public Health Research Question

  • Population (P): Adults aged 18–65 with Type 2 Diabetes in urban areas
  • Intervention (I): Mobile health (mHealth) apps for glucose monitoring
  • Comparison (C): Standard care (paper-based logs + clinic visits)
  • Outcome (O): Improvement in HbA1c levels over 6 months

Final Research Question:

"In adults aged 18–65 with Type 2 Diabetes (P), does using mHealth apps for glucose monitoring (I) compared to standard care (C) lead to greater improvement in HbA1c levels (O) over 6 months?"


Why This Works for Public Health:

  1. Measurable Outcome: HbA1c is a concrete metric for diabetes control.
  2. Relevance: mHealth interventions address access barriers in urban "health deserts."
  3. Feasibility: Narrow population (age/condition) makes data collection manageable.