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After reviewing this section content, the reader will:
The terms "limits" and "filters" are often used interchangeably. The purpose of limits or filters is to narrow search results based on selected criteria, such as publication types, age, language, or years. Most databases have integrated tools to limit search results. It is important to review the database’s Help section as limits and their applications vary.
Limits:
Limits should be applied carefully.
Common limits include:
PubMed, the Ovid databases, and CINAHL offer an additional limit: Clinical Queries, which are online search filters that clinicians may use to improve the timely retrieval of scientifically strong and clinically relevant articles. The Library has added Clinical Queries to the aforementioned databases’ default limits. While there are nine Clinical Queries categories, the number available in the listed databases varies. A detailed explanation of these search filters can be found at McMaster University's Hedges Project (linked below).
For additional information on available limits/filters, refer to the database’s Help section.
(Jankowski, 2008; U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2019; Waltho, Kaur, Haynes, Farrokhyar, & Thoma, 2015; Welch Medical Library, 2019; Wessel, 2019; Wolters Kluwer, 2019)
Health Information Research Unit. (Last Update February 9, 2016). Hedges. Retrieved from https://hiru.mcmaster.ca/hiru/HIRU_Hedges_home.aspx
Jankowski, T. A. (2008). The Medical Library Association Essential Guide to Becoming an Expert Searcher: Proven Techniques, Strategies, and Tips for Finding Health Information. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2019, November 15, 2019). PubMed User Guide. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/help/
Waltho, D., Kaur, M. N., Haynes, R. B., Farrokhyar, F., & Thoma, A. (2015). Users' guide to the surgical literature: how to perform a high-quality literature search. Can J Surg, 58(5), 349-358. doi:10.1503/cjs.017314
Welch Medical Library, J. H. U., School of Medicine. (2019). Expert Searching. Retrieved from https://browse.welch.jhmi.edu/searching
Wessel, C. B. (2019). Responsible Literature Searching for Research: A Self-Paced Interactive Program. Retrieved from https://cme.hs.pitt.edu/ISER/app/learner/loadModule?moduleId=8381&dev=false
Wolters Kluwer. (2019). Ovid Help. Retrieved from http://site.ovid.com/site/help/documentation/osp/en/index.htm#CSHID=advanced.htm