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Appendix of resources to Chapter 4: Searching for and selecting studies
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Updated July 2025
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This Appendix should be cited as: Glanville J, Lefebvre C. Appendix of resources to Chapter 4: Searching for and selecting studies [last updated July 2025]. In: Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 6.5. Cochrane, 2025. Available from: https://links.cochrane.org/chapter-4-appendix
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Resource nameURLCategorySub-categoryFree / ChargedNotes
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AbstrackrAbstrackrReview management softwareToolsFree
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AcuTrialsAcuTrialsSources to searchSubject-specific databasesFreeAcupuncture
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Adis Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes News (closed)DialogSources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedPharmaceuticals
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AdisInsight: DrugsDialog
STN
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedPharmaceuticals
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AdisInsight: TrialsDialog
STN
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedPharmaceuticals
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Ageinfohttp://www.cpa.org.uk/ageinfo/ageinfo.html Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesFree / ChargedAlso part of the Social Policy and Practice database
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AgeLinehttps://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/ageline Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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AgricolaDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-agricola-072921.pdf
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/agricola-9
STN: https://web.cas.org/marketing/solutions/stn-ip/stn-database/agricola.pdf
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedNutrition
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AgrisDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-agris-072921.pdfSources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedNutrition
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AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) reportshttps://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/evidence-based-reports/search.htmlSources to searchEvidence synthesisFree
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AHRQ Finding Evidence for Comparing Medical Interventionshttps://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/methods-guidance-finding-evidence/methodsGuidanceEvidence synthesisFree
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AHRQ Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviewshttps://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/collections/cer-methods-guideGuidanceEvidence synthesisFree
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Al Manhalhttps://www.almanhal.com/Sources to searchRegional databasesChargedArabic content
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Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED)
Dialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-allied_complementary_medicine-072721.pdf

EBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/allied-and-complementary-medicine-database-amed

Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/amed-allied-and-complementary-medicine-12
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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APA PsycArticlesEBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/apa-psycarticles
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/apa-psycarticles-886
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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APA PsycBooksEBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/apa-psycbooks
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/apa-psycbooks-1758
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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APA PsycExtraEBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/apa-psycextra
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/apa-psycextra-4197
Sources to searchGrey literatureChargedBibliographic records with full-text materials, including conference presentations, newsletters, reports, fact sheets, magazines and monographs in field of psychology
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APA PsycInfo APA: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-psycinfo-080420-1.pdf

Dialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-psycinfo-080420-1.pdf

EBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/apa-psycinfo

Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/apa-psycinfo-139

ProQuest: https://about.proquest.com/en/products-services/apa-research-databases/
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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APA PsycNethttps://psycnet.apa.org/home Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesFree
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APA Research Databaseshttps://about.proquest.com/en/products-services/apa-research-databases/Sources to search Subject-specific databasesChargedProvides access to: APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycBooks and APA PsycTests
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Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA)ProQuest: https://about.proquest.com/en/products-services/ASSIA-Applied-Social-Sciences-Index-and-AbstractsSources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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Arabic Citation indexWeb of Science: https://webofscience.help.clarivate.com/en-us/Content/arabic-citation-index/arabic-citation-index.htm
Sources to search Citation indexesChargedArabic content
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Bibliographia Medica Čechoslovacahttps://www.medvik.cz/bmc/index.do?language=enSources to searchRegional databasesFreeContent from the Czech Republic
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Biological AbstractsEBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/biological-abstracts

Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/biological-abstracts-24

Web of Science: https://webofscience.help.clarivate.com/en-us/Content/bio-abstracts/biological-abstracts.htm
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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Biological Abstracts / RRMOvid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/biological-abstractsrrm-25Sources to searchGrey literatureCharged
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BioRxivhttps://www.biorxiv.org/Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesFreeBiology preprints
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BIOSIS Citation IndexWeb of Science: https://webofscience.help.clarivate.com/en-us/Content/biosis/biosis-citation-index.htmSources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedCitation indexes
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BIOSIS PreviewsDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-biosis_previews-021821.pdf
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/biosis-previews-26
STN: https://web.cas.org/marketing/solutions/stn-ip/stn-database/biosis.pdf
Web of Science: https://webofscience.help.clarivate.com/en-us/Content/biosis-previews/biosis-previews.htm
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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BIOSIS ToxicologyDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-biosis_toxicology-072921.pdf Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedToxicology
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British Education IndexEBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/british-education-indexSources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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British Library Inside ConferencesDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-british_lib_inside_conferences-072921.pdf Sources to searchConference abstracts and proceedingsCharged
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British Nursing DatabaseProQuest: https://about.proquest.com/en/products-services/bnd/Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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British Nursing IndexDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-british_nursing_index-072921.pdfSources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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CAB Abstracts (+/- full text)Dialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-cab_abstracts-073021.pdf
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/cab-abstracts-31
Web of Science: https://webofscience.help.clarivate.com/en-us/Content/cabi/cabi-abstracts-global-health.htm
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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Campbell Collaboration's Searching for studies: a guide to information retrieval for Campbell systematic reviewshttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.4073/cmg.2016.1

Guidance
Evidence synthesisFree
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Canada’s Drug Agency (formerly known as Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)) reportshttps://www.cda-amc.ca/search?s=&f%5B0%5D=result_type%3Aproject Sources to searchEvidence synthesisFree
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Canadian Medical Association Journal guidelineshttps://www.cmaj.ca/guidelinesSources to searchGuidelinesFree
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CEA Registryhttps://cevr.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/databases/cea-registrySources to searchSubject-specific databasesFree / ChargedEconomic evaluations
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Center for Research Libraries (CRL) Library Cataloghttps://catalog.crl.edu/Content/about Sources to searchGrey literatureFree
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China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)https://oversea.cnki.net/index/ https://oversea.cnki.net/index/en/en-manual.htmlSources to searchRegional databasesFreeChinese content including journals, theses, proceedings, newspapers, yearbooks, patents, standards, achievements, books, ancient books, monographic serials, and featured journals for overseas users.
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Chinese Science Citation DatabaseWeb of Science: https://webofscience.help.clarivate.com/en-us/Content/chinese-science/chinese-science-citation-database.htmSources to searchRegional databasesChargedChinese content
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Chongqing VIP https://www.cqvip.com/Sources to searchRegional databasesFreeChinese content
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Clinical Trial Resultshttps://clinicaltrialresults.org/Sources to searchClinical trialsFreePredominantly slides reporting clinical trial results, in cardiology and other fields
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ClinicalTrials.govhttps://clinicaltrials.govSources to searchClinical trialsFree
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Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)https://www.cochranelibrary.com/central https://www.cochranelibrary.com/central/about-central

Sources to searchClinical trialsFree / ChargedSome content is free: full access is via licence or subscription. See also entry for Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (Ovid). Also referred to as Trials in the Wiley interface of The Cochrane Library. Also available from EBSCO.
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Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) - How CENTRAL is created https://www.cochranelibrary.com/central/central-creationGuidanceClinical trialsFree
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Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy: Chapter 7: Searching for studies https://methods.cochrane.org/sdt/handbook-dta-reviews

GuidanceEvidence synthesisFreeCochrane Account required (available free)
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Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions: Searching for and Selecting Studies: Chapter 4 (main text)


https://training.cochrane.org/handbook/current/chapter-04

GuidanceEvidence synthesisFree / ChargedFree online: an earlier edition can be purchased as a hardback book
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Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions: Searching for and Selecting Studies: Chapter 4 (Technical Supplement)https://training.cochrane.org/handbook/current/chapter-04-technical-supplement-searching-and-selecting-studiesGuidanceEvidence synthesisFreeOnline only
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Cochrane Information Specialists' Handbookhttps://training.cochrane.org/resource/cochrane-information-specialists-handbookGuidance
Evidence synthesisFreeNot up-to-date
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Cochrane Interactive Learninghttps://training.cochrane.org/interactivelearningGuidance
Evidence synthesisFree / ChargedSome content is free; full access is via subscription or licence.
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Cochrane LibraryEBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/cochrane-collection-plus
WILEY: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/
Sources to searchGeneral bibliographic databasesFree / ChargedSome content is free; full access is via licence or subscription. See also entry for Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (Ovid).
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Cochrane Library User Guide (and other training resources)https://www.wiley.com/en-us/customer-success/cochrane-library-training-hub GuidanceEvidence synthesisFree
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Cochrane Register of Studies (CRS) / CRS Online (CRSO)https://crso.cochrane.org/ Sources to searchClinical trialsFreeCochrane Account required (available free)
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Cochrane Training Manual for Handsearchershttps://methods.cochrane.org/irmg/resources Guidance
Evidence synthesisFree
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Colandrhttps://www.colandrcommunity.com/Review management softwareToolsFree
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ComDisDomeProQuest: https://about.proquest.com/en/products-services/cdd-set-c/Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedCommunications disorders
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Consumer Health DatabaseProQuest: https://about.proquest.com/en/products-services/pq_familyhealth/Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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COREhttps://core.ac.uk/Sources to searchGeneral bibliographic databasesFreeOpen access academic research
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COVID-19 ResearchDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-covid19-080221.pdf Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesFree
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Covidencehttps://www.covidence.orgReview management softwareToolsFree / ChargedFree for authors of Cochrane reviews
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Criminal Justice AbstractsEBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/criminal-justice-abstractsSources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) / CINAHL / CINAHL with Full Text / CINAHL Plus with Full Text / CINAHL Complete / CINAHL UltimateEBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/cinahl-database https://assets.ebsco.com/m/d6b7642b5e1d5bc/original/CINAHL-on-EBSCOhost-Comparison-Chart-Flyer.pdfSources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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Current Contents - Clinical MedicineOvid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/current-contents---clinical-medicine-928Sources to searchGeneral bibliographic databasesCharged
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Current Contents Medicine (CC MED)https://www.livivo.de/app/misc/dbinfo?dbid=CCMED
Sources to searchRegional databasesFreeContent focus German / Germany: bibliographic data enriched with a link to scanned tables of contents
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Current Contents Search / Current Contents ConnectDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-current_contents-080221.pdf
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/current-contents-search---full-seven-editions-861
Web of Science: https://webofscience.help.clarivate.com/en-us/Content/current-contents/current-contents-connect.htm
Sources to searchGeneral bibliographic databasesChargedAll topic areas
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Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) (closed)https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/CRDWeb/Sources to searchEvidence synthesisFreeCeased publication in March 2015. Access to archive is available on CRD website at URL given.
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Derwent Chemistry ResourceDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-derwent_chemistry_resource-080221.pdf
STN: https://web.cas.org/marketing/solutions/stn-ip/stn-database/dcr.pdf
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedPatents
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Derwent Drug File Dialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-derwent_drug_file-080221.pdf

Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/derwent-drug-file-893

ProQuest: https://dialog.com/derwent-drug-file/ STN: https://web.cas.org/marketing/solutions/stn-ip/stn-database/ddfu.pdf
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedPharmaceuticals
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Derwent Drug RegistryDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-derwent_drug_registry-080221.pdf Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedPharmaceuticals
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Derwent Innovations IndexWeb of Science: https://webofscience.help.clarivate.com/en-us/Content/derwent/derwent.htmSources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedPatents
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Derwent Patents Citation IndexDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-derwent_patents_citation_index-031821.pdfSources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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Derwent World Patents IndexDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-derwent_world_patents_index-081821.pdf
STN: https://web.cas.org/marketing/solutions/stn-ip/stn-database/wpindex.pdf
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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DH-DATA: Health Administration, Medical Toxicology and Environmental HealthDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-dh_data-080221.pdfSources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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Dialoghttps://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/research-development/pharmacovigilance-drug-safety/dialog/dialog-databases/?lid=dialog
https://clarivate.com/products/dialog-family/?lid=dialog
https://proquest.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=47571405
https://proquest.libguides.com/proquestdialog/education
Sources to searchService provider / search interfaceCharged
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Dimensions AIhttps://www.dimensions.ai/Sources to searchGeneral bibliographic databasesFree / Charged
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DIOGENES FDA Regulatory Updates (closed)Dialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-diogenes-032021.pdf Sources to searchRegulatory agency sources and clinical study reportsChargedArchive available
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DistillerSRhttps://www.distillersr.com/Review management softwareToolsCharged
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Dogpilehttps://www.dogpile.comSources to searchWeb searchingFree
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Drug Information Fulltext Dialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-drug_information_fulltext-080421.pdf Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedPharmaceuticals
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Drugs@FDAhttps://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/
Sources to searchRegulatory agency sources and clinical study reportsFree
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DuckDuckGohttps://duckduckgo.comSources to searchWeb searchingFree
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EBSCO / EBSCOhost https://www.ebsco.com/
https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases?f%5B0%5D=market%3A486
https://www.ebsco.com/resources?f%5B0%5D=res_type%3AProduct%20guide
Sources to searchService provider / search interfaceCharged
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EconLit Dialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-econlit-080221.pdf
EBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/econlit
EBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/econlit-full-text
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/econlit-52
ProQuest: https://about.proquest.com/en/products-services/econlit-set-c
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedEconomics
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ECRI Guidelines Trusthttps://guidelines.ecri.org/Sources to searchGuidelinesFree
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Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) Dialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-eric-080221.pdf

IES: https://eric.ed.gov/

EBSCO: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/eric

Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/eric-education-resources-information-center-85

ProQuest: https://about.proquest.com/en/products-services/eric/
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesFree / ChargedThe version of ERIC provided by the producers, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), is free of charge. Versions provided by commercial vendors are charged.
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Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL)https://www.eifl.net/Sources to searchGlobal initiativesFree
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Embase / Embase.comDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/2024/06/dialog-pro-embase-061224.pdf
Elsevier: https://www.embase.com/landing?status=grey
OVID: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/embase-903
STN: https://web.cas.org/marketing/solutions/stn-ip/stn-database/embase.pdf
Sources to searchGeneral bibliographic databasesCharged
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Embase classicElsevier: https://www.elsevier.com/products/embase/resources
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/embase-classic-3710
Sources to searchGeneral bibliographic databasesCharged
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Embase French Local Literature (Module)Dialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-embase-french-local-lit-081022.pdf
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/embase-french-local-literature-module-14866
Sources to searchGeneral bibliographic databasesChargedFrench content
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Embase PreprintsDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/2024/06/Embase-Preprints-ProSheet.pdf Sources to searchGeneral bibliographic databasesChargedPreprints
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EMCareDialog: https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-emcare-111720.pdf
Ovid: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/ovid-emcare-14007
Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesChargedNursing
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EndNotehttps://endnote.com/Reference management softwareToolsCharged
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Endocrinology Abstracts (included in ProQuest Biological & Health Science Professional)Dialog; https://clarivate.com/life-sciences-healthcare/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/dlm_uploads/dialog-pro-pq_biological_health_science_prof-072921.pdf Sources to searchSubject-specific databasesCharged
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Epistemonikoshttps://www.epistemonikos.org/en/Sources to searchEvidence synthesisFree