SEARCHING FOR A SPECIFIC AUTHOR
Authors names are indexed in the MEDLINE database in the "author field" section of the citations. The author field includes authors' last names, first initials, and second initials, if known. The authors' full first names are NOT part of a MEDLINE record. Below is a citation, with the authors' names in bold:
Wagner, R. & Johansen, M. (2000). Applying NIH Protocols for Pediatric Care in the
Clinical Setting. JAMA, 765(20), 72-4.
Searching Option #1: Using the Menu Commands
One of the easiest and most direct ways to search for an author (or authors) is to use the OVID menu prompts.
Click on  icon, which is located at the top of OVID's main menu. Then, type in the author's last name, and first initial (if you know it). OVID will present a list of authors' names, from which you can select the one(s) that you want.
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Searching Option #2: Using Direct Entry to Bypass Menu Options
Another way to identify authors is to bypass the menu opions and search via direct entry. Using direct entry, you can enter the author's name directly in the "Enter Keyword or Phrase" box:
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Format:
lastname-initial(s).au.
If you do not know the author's first or middle initials, use the $ truncation symbol, or wild card character.
Direct entry gives you power to locate an author even if you are unsure of his/her first name or initials. Direct entry author search also allows you to retrieve all of the articles by the same author, even if that person publishes both with and without his/her middle initials. Some examples are below:
EXAMPLES
- Format:
lastname-initial(s).au.
If you do not know the author's first or middle initials, use the $ truncation symbol, or wild card character.
- Type in the "Enter Keyword or Phrase" box:
corey-g.au.
will retrieve articles indexed to Gordon Corey, Gretchen Corey, or any other authors using just this first initial.
- Type in the "Enter Keyword or Phrase" box:
corey-gr.au.
will retrieve citations indexed to Gordon Ralph Corey, Greta Roberta Corey, or any other authors using these 2 initials.
- Type in the "Enter Keyword or Phrase" box:
corey-g$.au.
will retrieve citations indexed to Gordon Corey or Gordon Ralph Corey or any other authors using "g" for a first initial and any ($) second initial.
This is what the search results would look like:
| # |
Search History |
Results | Display |
| 1 |
corey-g.au. |
3 |
Display |
| 2 |
corey-gr.au. |
13 |
Display |
| 3 |
corey-g$.au. |
17 |
Display |
ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES
- Type in the "Enter Keyword or Phrase" box:
Van Der May-M.au.
will retrieve articles indexed to Margaret Van Der May, Michelle Van Der May, Michael Van Der May, or any other authors using just this first initial.
- Type in the "Enter Keyword or Phrase" box:
Van Der May-MR.au.
will retrieve citations indexed to Margaret Rebecca Van Der May, Michael Richard Van Der May, or any other authors using these 2 initials.
- Type in the "Enter Keyword or Phrase" box:
Van Der May-M$.au.
will retrieve citations indexed to Margaret Van Der May, or Mark William Van Der May, or Mary Ann Van Der May, or any other authors using "M" for a first initial and any ($) second initial. |
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