MEDLINE: A Guide to Effective Searching in PubMed & Other Interfaces, by Brian S. Katcher; 136; San Francisco: Asbury Press; 2006. paperback; $31.95.
In the digital age, online search tools are counted among the myriad tools we frequently use without considering their inner workings. This short book aims to educate MEDLINE users on the origin of the database, how it is indexed and organized, and its PubMed interface. Though not designed as an instructional guide, this book engenders a better understanding of the source of MEDLINE search results to enable researchers to design and interpret searches more thoughtfully.
Comprising just 5 chapters in total, the book begins with a history of MEDLINE, from its origins in 1864 with the construction of the National Library of Medicine, to its index and early computerization, and finally to the online interface we recognize today. It is an inspiring account of the ingenuity and foresight that laid the foundation for today's massive medical literature collection.
The next 3 chapters contain broad guidelines for designing searches and address many of the pitfalls researchers commonly face. Starting with 2 commonly encountered problems-retrieval of too many results for review or, conversely, failure to find results that are known to exist-the reader is led through the organization of MEDLINE entries by fields (or indices) and Medical Subject Headings Terms (MeSH). A thorough review of these fields allows the design of appropriately focused searches and can help in finding specific articles. The author gives clear examples of searches, with descriptions of each field indexed by MEDLINE. Limiting results by publication type or study characteristics to further focuses searches is also described. The tables in these sections and the use of a distinct typeface for MEDLINE terms make these chapters a useful reference for designing searches.
The fifth chapter is a collection of somewhat elementary suggestions for conducting literature searches. Containing headings such as "Be Inquisitive" and "Ask the Right Question," this chapter may not be educational to most researchers. However, novices and students may benefit from these and other basic tips throughout the book.
An appendix contains descriptions of additional medical literature resources on the Web. The author provides helpful annotations of commonly used interfaces, such as PubMed and Ovid, as well as specialized resources, such as open-access journal providers and public health information Web sites. Although sprinkled with URLs that, the author acknowledges, may soon go stale, seeing the description of these resources in print makes the scope of Web resources more comprehensible.
This book was not designed to supplant tutorials offered online or at academic libraries, which the author recommends. And, although no single method for "correctly" searching medical literature exists, this short guide to MEDLINE gives readers the background to thoughtfully design and review literature searches. As the accumulation of health and scientific knowledge accelerates, it becomes increasingly important that researchers become critical and efficient information managers. This book provides a quick look under the hood of the most medical literature database and search engine and is an enjoyable read for those who wish to become more adroit at searching the medical literature.
Carrie M. Nielson, PhD, MPH
Postdoctoral Fellow, Arizona Cancer Center University of Arizona, Tucson Georgetown, DE