PhD in Translational Health Sciences: How to Do Online Research

Depending on your topic, search the following databases to locate research on a specific topic area to help refine your search.

Mental Measurements Yearbook

What's the difference?

CINAHL:  the cumulative index to nursing and allied health

Tips for Conducting Online Translational Research

• Use these tips in conjunction with the Health Evidence worksheets in the Translational Science Research Guide
• Always start your research at the Himmelfarb home page.
• When searching PubMed, consider using the “Clinical Queries” feature or the Himmelfarb filters for evidence-based studies to focus on evidence-based research.

T1 Research:

Definition:  basic science research discoveries from animal and preclinical studies applied to phase I and II clinical trials; determining efficacy.

Databases to search: 

• PubMed

Search Strategies:

• Specific scientific terms, use the MeSH database to identify drug names
• MeSH terms to try: Drug Evaluation and Drug Evaluation, Preclinical  
• Limit search by: year, English, article type (Clinical Trials, Phase I and Clinical Trials, Phase II)

T2 Research: 

Definition: Building on validated T1 research to develop evidence-based practice guidelines; phase III trials, determining cost effectiveness and treatment strategies.

Databases to search: 

• PubMed (for medical topics)
• Scopus (for searches that extend into the social sciences and psychology literature)
• Cochrane and DARE databases which focus on reporting T2 studies

Search Strategies:

• Use PICO worksheet to frame question Intervention names (i.e. drug or therapy)
• MeSH terms to try: Treatment Outcome, Patient Outcome Assessment, Translational Medical Research
• Limit search: to human, by year, by article type (Clinical Trial, Phase III and Practice Guideline; Systematic Reviews; Meta-Analyses)

T3 Research: 

Definition:  Applying guidelines developed as part of T2 research to practice; phase IV trials, focus on dissemination and implementation.

Databases to search: 

• PubMed

Search Strategies:

• MeSH terms to try:  Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; Diffusion of Innovation; Information Dissemination; Translational Medical Research
• Limit searches by: article type (Clinical Trial, Phase IV; Systematic Reviews; Meta-Analyses)

T4 Research:

Definition:  Research that explores how changes in health practice affect population health; focus on outcomes research.

Databases to search: 

• PubMed
• Scopus
• PsycInfo for broader coverage

Search Strategies:

• MeSH terms to try:  Outcome Assessment (Health Care), Patient Outcome Assessment, Critical Care Outcomes, Health Services Research, Follow-up Studies, Long Term Adverse Effects, Comparative Effectiveness Research; Program Evaluation, Nursing Research Evaluation, Drug Utilization Review, Costs and Cost Analysis, Health Expenditures
• Limits searches by: article type (Evaluation Studies; Pragmatic Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Systematic Reviews; Meta-Analyses)

Thanks to

Balke, C. W., Umberger, G. H., & Mattacola, C. G. (2010). "Oh, the Places You'll Go" : Transformation of the Nation's Biomedical Research Enterprise in the 21st Century. Journal Of Sport Rehabilitation, 19(4), 359-368.

Drolet, B. C., & Lorenzi, N. M. (2011). Review Article: Translational research: understanding the continuum from bench to bedside. Translational Research, 157 1-5. doi:10.1016/j.trsl.2010.10.002

Yoong, Sze Lin.(2015) Systematic reviews examining implementation of research into practice and impact on population health are needed. Journal of clinical epidemiology, 68 (7), 788-791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.12.008