All library resources are available from off campus. For best results, always exit Blackboard and go directly to the library home page to begin your research. If you have any questions or problems, ask for help! Contact Michele Wood by email, or by phone at 562.2644.
CINAHL is the primary database for nursing research, however, one other database, discussed below, can also be helpful for locating journal articles.
- Go to the library home page and click the Periodical Databases link below the main search box.
- Click the C at Databases by Name (1st alphabetical list in the upper right) and then the CINAHL database link
- Enter your ENMU student ID number at the remote authentication screen
- Type your search term in the first search box on the left
- You may add a specific journal title in the second box; if you do, change the default index (Select a Field) to SO Publication Name at the drop-down arrow, directly across from the second search box
- You may add some of the Limits below if desired or required for your assignment:
- Scroll down to Published Date From boxes, on the right, and limit your search to a date range--e.g., 2008-2013
- Check the Peer-Reviewed* box, on the right
- Select Journal Articles at the Publication Type box, on the right. Your can also select Case Studies, Code of Ethics (or other choices) at the Publication Type box
- Check the Evidence-Based Practice box, on the right, or select Evidence-Based Care Sheets at the Publication Type box
- Select Nursing Education, Pain and Pain Management (or other choices) at the Special Interest box, on the right
- Check the Research Article box, on the left side of the screen
- Scroll up and click the Search button to view results
- Click any HTML or PDF links for full-text articles (articles can be printed, downloaded or emailed)
- To cite articles that are PDF files, click the "Detailed Record" link, in the upper left, and then the orange Cite link on the right; select APA style and copy and paste citation into your paper (double-check the citation to make sure it is all correct--in some cases, all words in the article title are capitalized and they shouldn't be!)
- To cite articles that are HTML files, click the orange Cite link on the right and follow the same instructions
*What is a peer-reviewed journal?
Here is an online APA Formatting & Style Guide for help in formatting your paper or checking a citation style.
Science Direct database can be helpful if your topic involves a medical or physiological component.
- Go to the library home page and click the Periodical Databases link below the main search box.
- Click the S at Databases by Name (1st alphabetical list in the upper right) and then the Science Direct link
- Type your search term in the All Fields box on the top left
- You may also add a journal title at Journal/Book Title box directly beneath the first box
- Click the Search button
- On the left-hand sidebar, limit to Journals at the Content Type box (all journal articles in Science Direct are peer-reviewed)
- You may also limit to a certain journal title or topic, if applicable
- Limit by year by checking the appropriate year boxes--when all done limiting, click the Limit To button
- Full-text articles are denoted by small green square icons to the left of the citation line--when you see a green square, click the PDF file link (you may print, download or email articles); if the square is grey, you will not see a full-text link--do NOT purchase articles, place an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request, instead (see instructions at end of the sheet)
Searching a specific journal can also be helpful:
- Go to the library home page
- Click the Journal Titles A-Z tab atop the main search box
- Type journal title in the search box
- Click a specific year/volume/issue link and search through an issue, or use the "Search Within This Publication" link, when available, to search all available issues of the journal for your topic
To search for books or DVDs:
- Go to the library home page and enter your keyword, title or author in the main search box; click the Search button
- On the left-hand sidebar, limit your search to books or videos and Update
- When you locate a suitable book or DVD, print or record the citation information and request the item (see below) and we will send it to you
Requesting Library Material via Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
To request a non-full-text article, book or DVD, go to the library home page and click the Interlibrary Loan link below the main search box.
- Click the ILLiad Log In/Registration link on the left-hand sidebar
- Click the First Time User button and fill out the ILLiad registration form
- Enter your ENMU email address, so we can contact you about your requests
- Select Distance Ed Undergraduate/Distance Ed Graduate Student in the Status box, so we'll know to send material directly to you
- Enter an ILLiad username of your choice (make it short and simple) and your ENMU student ID # as your ILLiad password
Upon registering, you will be taken to the ILLiad main menu for your account. Click the Request Article button (for journal articles) or the Request Book button (for books and DVDs), located on the left-hand sidebar, and complete the form with your citation information. Thereafter, anytime you wish to use the system, return to the same ILLiad Log In/Registration link and log in with your ILLiad username and password.
If you have placed a request, you will be notified via your ENMU email account when your item is available. 99% of articles will be delivered electronically to your ILLiad account or your ENMU email account. Books and DVDs will be mailed directly to you.