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 ( and Sterne Library ( Evidence-Based Public Health Libguide [*Note: Also available directly at pubmed.gov – however, use the Library interfaces while you’re at UAB. It makes getting fulltext articles easier!]

PubMed - Demo

PubMed Help? See Ask a Librarian!

Other Public Health Resources Cochrane Library POPLINE Toxnet PHPartners Others – see “Public Health” category

Cochrane Library

POPLINE

TOXNET

PHPartners

Don’t Forget – Social Sciences Databases! PsycINFO Sociological Abstracts PAIS Others – see or

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 MEDNAR (“Deep Web Searching”) LHL LibGuide on Grey Literature -

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, and Brooke Becker, !