Database functionality matrix
More resources comparing database interface can be found:
| Functionality | Ovid | EBSCO | ProQuest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boolean operators |
And / or button choices Type “not” into the search bar if using (e.g. 2 NOT 1) Option: or/1-4 as shortcut to 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 |
And / Or button choices from Search History And / Or / Not choices from drop-down menu on Advanced Search |
No button options - need to type in your And/Or/Not combinations into the search box Search could be written either: 1 and 2 is the same as S1 and s2. |
| Default field code |
.mp. This is database specific. In Medline: Myocardial infarction.mp. |
All fields myocardial infarction |
All fields "myocardial infarction" |
| Phrase searching | Default phrase searching without “” | Default phrase searching without “” | Must use “” for phrase searching: “word word“ |
|
Truncation & wildcard: Truncate with any number of character |
* or $ nurs* (nurse nurses nursing etc) nurs$ (nurse nurses nursing etc) |
* nurs* (nurse, nurses, nursing etc) |
* nurs* (nurse nurses nursing etc) MAX 5 CHARACTERS |
|
Truncation & wildcard: Wild card with 1 or 0 characters |
? wom?n finds woman or women p?ediatrics finds paediatrics or pediatrics |
? # |
? or * Wom*n finds woman or women Wom?n finds woman or women ? OR [*1] Nurse*1 (nurse nurses) |
|
Common field codes: Title/Abstract |
Heart attack.ti,ab. |
TI (heart attack) or AB (heart attack) Field codes have to be in CAPITAL LETTERS, Booleans do not |
ti(heart attack) OR ab(heart attack) or TI,AB(HEART ATTACK) |
|
Common field codes: author |
Patel.au. | AU patel | au(patel) |
|
Proximity: Near within |
adjX adj5 would mean “four words or less” |
nX n5 would mean “five words or less” |
near/X near/5 would mean “five words or less” |
|
Proximity: Next to (in order) |
adj |
wX w5 would mean “five words or less” |
pre/X or p/X pre/5 would mean “five words or less” |
| Display |
|
This can be set in your preferences |
|
|
Subject headings: standard |
Examples use Medline’s MeSH Schizophrenia / |
(MH "Schizophrenia+") |
MAINSUBJECT.EXACT("Schizophrenia") |
|
Subject headings: Exploded |
Exp Schizophrenia / | (MH " Schizophrenia +") | MAINSUBJECT.EXACT.EXPLODE("Schizophrenia") |
|
Subject headings: Focused |
* Schizophrenia / | (MM " Schizophrenia ") | MJMAINSUBJECT.EXACT("Schizophrenia (Disorganized Type)") |
|
Subject headings: Exploded and focused |
Exp *Schizophrenia / | (MM " Schizophrenia +") | MJMAINSUBJECT.EXACT.EXPLODE("Schizophrenia") |
| Extra subject heading functionality | “Term Finder” (in Medline only) gives access to controlled vocabulary, definitions and related terms from Unified Medical Languages System (UMLS). | “Apply equivalent subjects” (in Advanced Search) uses mapped vocabulary terms to expand the search, when a search term matches a known concept. | |
| Export functionality | 1000 per set (first set 1-1000, second set 1001-2000, etc) |
Can export full set of hits up to 25,000 |
Would recommend batches of up to 500 at a time. Clear folder to export second set of 501-1000. |
| Export formats | Microsoft Word, PDF, txt, Microsoft Excel, EndNote, RefWorks, RIS, XML. | RIS, XML, BibTeX, EndNote, RefWorks, Reference Manager, Zotero, CSV. | RefWorks, RIS, PDF, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, txt. |
| Tips: Copy paste not working? |
Check that you’re using straight quote marks - so " " rather than “” | Full set export will arrive in an email as a zip file containing RIS file |
