Regulatory documents on literature searching in the areas of drug and device safety, health economics and outcome assessments refer to scientific literature as the premier source of evidence.
The biomedical databases explicitly mentioned include MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane CENTRAL. Referred to as more specialist databases are APA PsycInfo and AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine Database). Mindful of the sheer breadth of information currently available, as well as the various channels for its distribution, regulatory authorities have also flagged the fact that relevant information will also be found in grey literature sources, most notably conference materials.
Ovid’s content portfolio covers these three major categories of information, namely the biomedical A&I databases, specialist A&I databases as well as database sources providing systematic access to conference materials.
Ovid’s awarding winning Customer Support team provide a full portfolio of support and training services to help you assess and evaluate how and why a resource or set of resources are suitable, even necessary, for your needs and how these resources can support you in your business activities. The list below is a selection of the scientific literature sources often consulted in response to regulatory requirements. If you would like further information on any of these sources or would like a demonstration, please contact [email protected] .
Sound, methodologically solid and reproducible search strategies provide an indispensable backbone to documentation whose purpose is to determine and verify drug and device effectiveness and safety.
Evident from its repeated citation in the scientific literature, Ovid is one of the most popular platforms for constructing search strategies. The Ovid platform provides a comprehensive set of features and functionality to manage such searches either on the part of a single user or within teams of searchers and reviewers.
For example, searches can be constructed on an individual line by line basis or as complete paragraphs. A comprehensive range of Boolean operators and truncation options for use with inline editing are also available to easily facilitate quick scoping searches as well as assumption testing.
Similarly, inline sharing options enable swift sharing of searches irrespective of their length or type of construction (i.e. line or paragraph based) with colleagues for collaborative review purposes. Just as easily, search strategies can be copied into Ovid’s Search History Launcher or rendered as a single History Jumpstart link facilitating peer group consideration and reproducibility.
If you would like further information on any of Ovid’s search assistance tools or would like a demonstration, please contact [email protected] .
Sound, methodologically solid and reproducible search strategies nevertheless take time to build and test. The increasing diversity of systematic review types and their respective methodologies has prompted a corresponding need for assistance in the construction of subject specific, as well as publication specific search strategies. When the need pressures and time is pressing, it helps to be able to draw upon the work of others.
Ovid provides easy access to a comprehensive collection of tried and tested search filters. Organised systematically on the Experts Searches section of this Portal, covering the major databases, the individual filters can be called up for inspection as well as can be run directly. Where available the filters are referenced so that it is possible to cite them.
Easy to use and re-use, the search histories can be stored offline in your word processor of choice or online on Ovid. On Ovid they can be easily integrated into your own search histories, appended to your search statements or even used for learning and teaching purposes.
By way of example clicking on the link Observational Studies a will return results for Embase. Similarly, the link Economic Studies will return a list of Ovid MEDLINE publications useful for health economics and outcomes research purposes. Why not try them out using your Ovid access credentials or alternatively contact [email protected] for a demonstration.
Hiring new staff is a positive indicator of growth and success. Yet, before your new colleagues can become truly effective, contributing to systematic literature searching projects, they need to get up to speed regarding their knowledge of the resources and be comfortable with them and confident in their use.
Ovid provides a comprehensive range of training services for all levels of user experience. Be it Ovid platform or database specific, we take time to work with you to tailor our training for your specific requirements. Delivered using various formats, the training sessions can be arranged for individuals as well as for groups. The sessions can be planned as occasional or regular sessions as needed.
To assist your new hire training activities Ovid provides a selection of Video Tutorials on the Ovid platform, search functionality as well as specific databases. The tutorials can be consulted as self-study learning tools or pre- or post-session learning aids to consolidate the learning experience. The tutorials can be selected individually as required from the Ovid Tools & Resources Portal or taken and run through systematically in the context of a training plan. See the Ovid Programme (PDF) for details.
Alternatively. If you would like to talk to a member of the Ovid Customer Success team about your training needs, please contact [email protected].
