Ovid basics: finding a known paper
2 March 2004 (additional to manual)
Field suffixes
To find a particular reference quickly, it is useful to know a few more of the dot commands (field codes) in Ovid. For example:
Dot command .yr.
Meaning year of publication
Example 2002.yr.
Dot command .vo.
Meaning volume
Example 324.vo.
Dot command .pg.
Meaning page (first page)
Example 859.pg.
Dot command .is.
Meaning issue
Example "6".is.
Dot command .au.
Meaning author
Example smart t$.au.
Dot command .jn.
Meaning journal title
Example thorax.jn.
Dot command .ui.
Meaning unique identifier
Example 12096215.ui.
You can get a full list by clicking on the 'search fields' icon near the top of the main search page, or consult Appendix 3 .
At the main search page in MEDLINE Plus (MEDLINE 1966- database)
To find a reference, it is often best to search by the numeric fields as they are least likely to be ambiguous - names of journals or authors can be tricky and easily mis-spelt. It is amazing how often you can get the precise article, or a small list you can choose from, by using the year, volume and page. Try this in the Enter Keyword or phrase box (you will need to just enter the number of the first page):
2002.yr. and 324.vo. and 859.pg.
Click the button then scroll down to the bottom of the screen. You'll get one hit, from the BMJ.
Using the unique identifier to order items from us via MEDLINE Plus
Or if you know the unique identifier of an item, and want to retrieve a set of citations ready to order from us using our PDF delivery service, try the following, substituting your known unique identifiers in the 'enter keyword or phrase' box and clicking after each one:
12096215.ui.
13895058.ui.
15892345.ui.
18702309.ui.
or/1-4
Where '4' is the number of items you have identified. Then follow the sequence on our online ordering page. You need to click 'I accept' at the copyright declaration screen, or the order will not be processed. You must give us a valid email address which has a reasonable capacity for a file to be emailed to you, and you need to give us a valid membership number, ie without any letters at the front. [More details of our email service ].
Selecting for journal names using the jn suffix and author names using the au suffix
This is a little more complicated as you need the exact wording of the name. For example BMJ is found as BMJ in articles since 1988; formerly it was British Medical Journal. Generally journal names are searched in full, not by their abbreviation. In the 'enter keyword or phrase' box type the following:
british journal of sports medicine.jn. and 2002.yr.and milne_c$.au.
Click the button then scroll down to the bottom of the screen. You will find one article by Robinson and Milne about the Sydney Olympics.
To search for a correct author name see the author search page for details. To verify a journal name use the same strategy for author names, instead selecting the journal icon at the top of the main search page.
Any questions? Please contact the MEDLINE Plus help desk:
Tel: 020 7383 6224 or 6737
email: info.medline@bma.org.uk
web: http://www.bma.org.uk/medline
Updated 2 March 2004