The Cochrane Library is a collection of three databases and three featured-content collections that you can search simultaneously for evidence-based medical information.
Databases
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR)
- Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)
- Cochrane Clinical Answers (CCAs)
Content Collections
- Special Collections
- Search content hosted by Epistemonikos
- Search content hosted by McMaster Health Forum
To search all databases and collections, type your search term(s) (for example, “COVID-19”) into the search box in the upper right-hand corner (1) of the home page, and click on the icon (2) or hit Enter. The results will be organized in tabs by database or type of evidence: systematic reviews, trials, etc.
Database Features
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is the leading journal and database of systematic reviews in health care. It includes systematic reviews (1), as well as protocols (2), editorials (3), and supplements.
- Systematic reviews attempt to answer a carefully formulated research question according to pre-specified eligibility criteria by identifying, appraising, and synthesizing all available evidence. By synthesizing all of the available evidence, they provide a higher level of evidence compared with individual randomized controlled trials.
- Protocols describe the proposed approach for conducting a systematic review. They include the research question of interest, and act as a public record of how review authors intend to answer the question.
- Editorials analyze evidence in an attempt to stimulate discussion and promote good decision making in clinical care and health policy.
Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)
CENTRAL, found on the tab marked Trials (A), is the world’s largest database for reports of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials. Records on CENTRAL are retrieved from PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). They include the title of the article, publication information, and often the abstract (not the full text).
Cochrane Clinical Answers
Cochrane Clinical Answers (CCAs) (B) summarize the results of a Cochrane Review in a short, easy-to-read, question and answer format. Since CCAs are written by clinicians for clinicians, the information of greatest interest to clinicians is made more accessible, with the aim of informing health care decisions.
Language Settings and More
Users can view translated Cochrane Review sections in one of sixteen languages and have the option to view the entire website in English or Spanish. Click on the language button (C) on the upper right-hand corner of the home page to view language options.
For help using Advanced Search or other features, click on the Help (D) tab on the right-hand side of the home page menu, then click on Cochrane Library Training (E).
Access to Cochrane Library is available to all Nova Scotians
Patients and community members within Nova Scotia have full access to the Cochrane Library. Access is available through their local Nova Scotia Public Library, or via this link. They can access articles, including abstracts, and easy-to-read plain language summaries.
If you have any additional questions about the Cochrane library, we would be happy to assist you with your information needs. Book a consultation or connect with us at AskLibrary@nshealth.ca any time!
Linda Yang
Librarian Educator
Understanding how to reuse someone else’s work legally is complicated. Using works made available under Creative Commons licenses is a (fairly) straightforward way to navigate terms of use, permissions, and the details of Canadian copyright law. Let’s take a closer look!
What is Creative Commons?
Founded in 2002, Creative Commons (CC) is a nonprofit organization committed to open licensing. They provide creators, worldwide, with “a free, simple, and standardized way to grant copyright permissions for creative and academic works; ensure proper attribution; and allow others to copy, distribute, and make use of those works.” (Creative Commons, n.d.2).
It is important to understand that, although CC-licensed resources are free to use, there are some restrictions and attribution is always required. You must carefully read and understand the terms of the CC license and use the resource as specified.
Understanding Creative Commons Licenses
There are six Creative Commons licenses. From least restrictive to most restrictive, they are:
Attribution
CC BY
Attribution-
Sharealike
CC BY-SA
You can distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon a work, even commercially.
Attribution must be given to the original creator and modified works must also be licensed CC BY-SA.
Attribution-
NoDerivatives
CC BY-ND
You can reuse a work for any purpose, even commercially, but no modifications or adaptations are allowed.
Attribution must be given to the original creator of the work.
Attribution-
NonCommercial
CC BY-NC
Attribution-
NonCommercial-
Sharealike
CC BY-NC-SA
You can remix, adapt, and build upon a work, but the use must be non-commercial.
Attribution must be given to the original creator and modified works must also be licensed CC BY-NC-SA.
Attribution-
NonCommercial-
NoDerivatives
CC BY-NC-ND
You can download and share a work, but it cannot be modified or adapted or used commercially.
Attribution must be given to the original creator of the work.
License icons by Creative Commons / CC BY 4.0
Creative Commons also provides public domain tools that help creators make their work available without copyright restrictions.
Places to Find Creative Commons Licensed Content
Openverse
This search engine, linked on the CC website under “Search the Commons” and maintained by WordPress, allows you to search for CC-licensed content across the web. You can filter by the type of license or by intended use (commercial, modify/adapt).
Flickr
Flickr is a photo management and sharing site, with billions of photographs. You can limit your Flickr search results to CC-licensed images.
Wikimedia Commons
Many of the 80 million+ media files uploaded to Wikimedia Commons are CC-licensed. Be sure to check the license/terms of use for each resource and provide attribution as required.
Google Images
Google Images allows you to limit your search to CC-licensed images.
Once you have entered your search terms, in this example "human heart", click on Tools (1) to open a menu. Click on Usage Rights (2) and select Creative Commons licenses (3).
It is important to note that not all images retrieved this way are actually CC-licensed. Always check the source of the image to make sure you can use it without payment or permission.
Bing Images/Microsoft Office
To limit your Bing Images search to Creative Commons or Public Domain, click on Filter (1). Then click on License (2) and select the type of license from the dropdown menu (3). Bing’s filter allows you to be more specific than Google.
Microsoft Office allows you to insert online pictures through an integrated Bing Images Creative Commons search.
As with Google Images, the Bing Images/Microsoft Office Creative Commons search is NOT 100% reliable. Always check the source of the image to ensure if and how you are permitted to use it.
What does it mean to give a creator attribution?
Attribution is a requirement of all CC licenses. Creative Commons (n.d.3) states that an ideal attribution includes the:
See the Creative Commons Best Practices for Attribution wiki for more details.
When you insert a CC-licensed image in a Microsoft Office project, a generic attribution will be included.
To obtain the correct title, author and license details , you will need to click the text This Photo (1) to view the original image. Replace the generic text with the actual title (linked to the source) and the author’s name (2) (linked to their profile, if available). Check to make sure that the CC license (3) is correct. The correct attribution (4) for this example is:
Doctor greeting patient by Vic is licensed under CC BY.
For more information about Creative Commons licenses and other copyright topics:
References
1. Creative Commons. (n.d.1). Creative Commons Certificate for Educators, Academic Librarians and GLAM. https://certificates.creativecommons.org/cccertedu/
2. Creative Commons. (n.d.2). What we do. https://creativecommons.org/about/
3. Creative Commons. (n.d.3). Use & remix. https://creativecommons.org/about/
Roxanne MacMillan
Librarian Educator, Copyright
Dickson Building, Central Zone