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Health Sciences Library Orientation

This guide introduces users to library resources and services to support health sciences research.

What is a Database?

In the context of a library, a database is usually a collection citations, abstracts, and full-text articles to which the library subscribes. Databases are expensive, but our subscriptions provide Gonzaga students, faculty and staff with free access to articles in academic journals, newspapers, trade publications and more.  Most of these articles can't be found by searching the Internet. To learn more about databases, watch this video created by a student at Yavapai College.

What is Peer Review?

Searching Databases

The Foley Library subscribes to A TON of databases, but we've organized them so you can find health sciences resources much easier. When you look at the databases list on the Foley Library website, you'll see a drop-down filter -- you can select your subject area to show just databases that are relevant to Nursing, Human Physiology, or general Health Sciences.

 

Selecting a database can be hard -- even within this list, there are a ton of options! To make this a bit easier, we have created resource guides that will help you find a good database based on the kind of research you are looking for. Wanting to find background medical information or Point of Care tools? Clinical Key for Nursing and Dynamed are solid options. Need a systematic review? Cochrane is a really excellent source.

Check out a Discipline-Specific Resources Guide for more help.

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