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PubMed

1. PubMed Searches

PubMed has a single search box.  Because this database is so large, you may be overwhelmed with results initially.

PubMed resuls

 

2. Using Quote Marks to Get Better Results

Quote marks force words to be searched side-by-side (this works in most databases, including Google)!  When you want your words to be searched as side-by-side words, try using quote marks.  See below the difference in search results.

quote marks

3. Applying Filters to Get Better Results

After you run a search, filters will display to the left of your results.  Click on Show Additional Filters, and select Search Fields.

PubMed filters

After Search Fields is added, it will show up in the left-hand filters. 

PubMed title limit

 

4. PubMed's Advanced Search

Use PubMed's Advanced Search to broaden or focus your results.

Getting the Full Text in PubMed

In PubMed, you must click into the article title to see the Find It link to try to link out to full text.  If you need a reminder of how to use the Find It link, please click here.

Find It link in PubMed

Retrieving Citation Information from PubMed

In PubMed, use the Send to option.  The easiest thing to do is select Send to, and then select File.  The file type that is easiest to work with is Summary (text).  You will then click on Create File, and a Notepad (text) file with a citation will be generated.  Open the Notepad file, and update the citation to the desired citation style, such as APA.  The default citation style from PubMed is National Library of Medicine (NLM), not APA!!

PubMed Citation