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How to search CINAHL

Phrase Searching in CINAHL

When you type phrases into the search box some databases will assume you want a phrase and others will search for the words as unconnected terms. To search for a phrase instead of a group of unconnected terms you need to format your search in a particular way.

In most databases, (e.g. CINAHL) you can do a phrase search by putting quotation marks around the phrase. If you do that the database will search for the terms within the quotes in the exact order that you typed them into the search box.

screen capture of cinahl search box with the phrase "cell phone" in it

To search for a phrase...

  1. Type the phrase you want to use in the CINAHL search box.
  2. Add quotation marks on either end of the phrase. (e.g. "cell phone")

e.g.

  • "cell phone"
  • "distracted driving"
  • "young drivers"

What's the difference between a search with and without quotes?

screen capture of cinahl search history (described in detail below image)

This is a screen capture of the CINAHL search history for the example search. 

  • S2 shows a search for "cell phone" with quotes finding 1,175 results
  • S1 shows a search for cell phone without quotes finding 1,671 results

The search with quotes finds results where that exact phrase is found where in the search without quotes the words may not be found next to each other in the results. The search with quotes found 496 fewer results and is more focused.