CINAHL

Definition

CINAHL, or the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, is a comprehensive database that provides access to nursing and allied health literature. It serves as an essential tool for conducting systematic literature reviews by offering a wide range of peer-reviewed articles, books, and evidence-based resources relevant to the nursing field and related disciplines.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. CINAHL contains over 5 million records from a wide array of journals and publications dedicated to nursing and allied health disciplines.
2. The database includes a variety of resources, such as dissertations, evidence-based care sheets, and practice guidelines, making it invaluable for systematic literature reviews.
3. CINAHL allows users to filter search results by publication date, type of study, methodology, and other criteria to refine their literature review process.
4. It also provides citation tools that help researchers manage references and format bibliographies in various citation styles.
5. CINAHL is frequently updated, ensuring that researchers have access to the most current literature in nursing and allied health.

Review Questions

• How does CINAHL facilitate the process of conducting systematic literature reviews?
  • CINAHL facilitates systematic literature reviews by providing a vast collection of peer-reviewed articles and resources specifically focused on nursing and allied health. Researchers can utilize advanced search features to filter results based on criteria such as date, type of study, and methodology. This ability to narrow down searches helps streamline the review process and ensures that users can efficiently find relevant studies and evidence.
• Discuss the importance of using peer-reviewed articles from CINAHL in evidence-based practice.
  • Using peer-reviewed articles from CINAHL is crucial in evidence-based practice because these articles have undergone rigorous evaluation by experts in the field. This process ensures the quality and reliability of the information presented. In clinical decision-making, utilizing high-quality evidence from trusted sources like CINAHL can lead to better patient outcomes and improved healthcare practices.
• Evaluate the impact of CINAHL's extensive resources on the advancement of nursing research methodologies.
  • CINAHL's extensive resources significantly impact the advancement of nursing research methodologies by providing access to a wealth of diverse studies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. By having this breadth of information available, researchers can draw on a variety of approaches and frameworks when designing their own studies. The ability to reference high-quality literature also encourages innovative methodologies and strengthens the overall rigor of nursing research.

Related terms

Systematic Review: A research method that involves systematically searching, appraising, and synthesizing research evidence to answer specific clinical questions.

Peer-Reviewed Articles: Scholarly articles that have been evaluated by experts in the field before publication, ensuring quality and credibility.

Evidence-Based Practice: An approach to healthcare that emphasizes the use of current best evidence in making decisions about patient care.