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When starting a health sciences research project, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right database. Two of the most widely used resources are CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and PubMed. While both help us to find high-quality health research, they serve different purposes and strengths. Understanding these differences can help faculty, researchers, clinicians, librarians, and students search more efficiently and find the most relevant evidence.

The biggest difference between CINAHL and PubMed is their focus.

CINAHL is designed specifically for nursing and allied health professions, including fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, respiratory therapy, and health education. Because of this focus, it excels at covering topics related to patient care, nursing practice, healthcare education, and qualitative research.

PubMed, maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, provides a broader biomedical perspective. It covers medicine, public health, pharmacology, genetics, and many areas of basic and clinical science. As a result, PubMed is often the first choice for physician-focused, biomedical, and laboratory-based research.

Content and Coverage 

The types of materials indexed in each database also differ.CINAHL includes scholarly journals, dissertations, conference proceedings, and trade publications. It indexes many nursing and allied health journals that are not available in other databases. It is particularly valuable for finding qualitative studies and practice-focused research that explore patient experiences, clinical decision-making, and healthcare delivery.

PubMed primarily provides access to MEDLINE and additional life sciences journals. Its content emphasizes peer-reviewed biomedical literature, including clinical trials, systematic reviews, observational studies, and experimental research. While PubMed offers extensive coverage across the health sciences, it generally includes fewer nursing-specific and allied health journals than CINAHL.

When Should You Use Each Database? 

The best database depends on your research questions.

Choose CINAHL when your topic focuses on:

  • Nursing practice
  • Patient care
  • Allied health professions
  • Qualitative research
  • Clinical interventions and patient outcomes

Choose PubMed when your topic focuses on:

  • Biomedical or medical research
  • Clinical trials
  • Systematic reviews
  • Drug therapies and pharmacology
  • Broad literature searches across multiple health disciplines

For many projects, especially literature reviews and evidence syntheses, using both databases provides the most comprehensive coverage.

Final Thoughts 

CINAHL and PubMed are both essential resources for health sciences research, but they are not interchangeable. CINAHL offers specialized coverage of nursing and allied health literature, while PubMed provides broad access to biomedical and clinical research.

Rather than choosing one over the other, researchers often benefit from using both databases. By understanding the unique strengths of each resource, you can build a more effective search strategy, discover higher-quality evidence, and ensure that important research is not overlooked.

Even though PubMed is available on the open web, we strongly encourage access through the University Libraries website to ensure full availability of subscription-based resources.

The University of Memphis Libraries provide services in Spanish. You can access our webpages: The Health Sciences Libraries Health Sciences Information and Staff – Libraries and the Lambuth Campus Library Información in Español – Libraries. You can also find information about our resources and services in our guide: Home – Recursos y Servicios de la Biblioteca (Library Resources and Services) – Research Guides at University of Memphis Libraries. Additionally, you can schedule an appointment for a research consultation with Dr. Irma Singarella: Make an Appointment – Online – Hours and Events – University of Memphis Libraries.

Las Bibliotecas de la Universidad de Memphis proveen servicios en español. Puede acceder a nuestras páginas,de la Biblioteca de Ciencias de la Salud Health Sciences Information and Staff – Libraries y la Biblioteca de Lambuth Información in Español – Libraries . También puede obtener información acerca de nuestros recursos y servicios en nuestra guía informativa: Home – Recursos y Servicios de la Biblioteca (Library Resources and Services) – Research Guides at University of Memphis Libraries. También puede reservar una cita para una consulta de investigación con la Dra. Irma Singarella Make an Appointment – Online – Hours and Events – University of Memphis Libraries.

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Whether you’re just getting started in your graduate career, or you want to dig in deeper to Libraries services and resources, check out our Research Skills for Graduate Students webinar series. You don’t have to be a graduate student to use these – undergraduates and faculty have found them useful, too!

The Research Skills for Graduate Students Webinar Series recordings and presentation materials are now available on our Dissertation Writers Resources research guide. The Spring 2026 recordings include:

  • research help on creating your scholarly presence,
  • understanding journal research metrics,
  • identifying predatory journals,
  • getting started on a literature review,
  • government documents for health and behavioral sciences research, and
  • demystifying the academic journal publishing process.

There are two databases highlighted: AM Digital and PolicyMap.

Our Fall 2025 recordings include:

  • an introduction to University Libraries resources and services,
  • advanced search strategies,
  • government documents for education research,
  • citation management tools Zotero and Mendeley,
  • research for health sciences, and
  • how to track journals and research peers

There are four databases highlighted: IEEE Xplore, ASTM Compass, CINAHL Complete and PsycINFO, and Scite.ai.

Don’t see what you need? Librarians are always available to help you research and find information through Ask-a-Librarian. You can browse our FAQs, submit a help ticket, make an in-person or online research appointment, or Chat with us!

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Podcast Kit

Podcast Kits Available for Checkout

During the pandemic, most people were forced inside their homes in unprecedented numbers. This lead many to discover new podcasts and even start their own as they looked to fill their free time. As you may already know, there are a multitude of podcasts available on any number of subjects: science, entertainment, finance, video games, the list goes on. And these podcasts are made by people at every skill level, professional and amateur. If you have an interest you are passionate about and want to create your own podcast, whether it be for a class, a side hustle, or just for fun, McWherter Library is now offering a great way to start your journey. The Circulation Department is offering podcast kits that include a Blue Yeti microphone with USB connector cord, a pair of studio headphones, and a webcam (for all you vloggers out there). It will be a nonrenewable three day check out if you want to give it a try. We here in the Sandbox Creatorspace also recommend using programs like Audacity or Adobe Audition to record if using a PC and Garage Band for the Macintosh crowd. Hopefully, this will help you begin your own podcast adventure so you can join the ever-growing conversation of this burgeoning world.

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Watch for Future Maker Mondays

Maker Monday: ROCK OUT!

Are you a guitar aficionado? Someone learning to play in their spare time? Or maybe just someone that enjoys cool tech and memorabilia? This coming Monday, September 26, the Sandbox Creatorspace at McWherter Library will be hosting its first Maker Monday event of the Fall Semester: ROCK OUT! We will be guiding you through the process of making your very own guitar pick with the library’s Glowforge Laser Cutter. We will also have a SpecDrum kit to explore if you want to just relax and make your own beats. If you are interested, sign up here so your spot is reserved. Also feel free to drop by the day of, explore what the Sandbox has to offer, and create your own musical memories.

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Written by Benjamin Clanton, Government Publications

On September 20, the country will recognize National Voter Registration Day, an annual effort to educate the public on their right to vote. Many of these celebrations are paired with voter sign-up drives, whose mission is to bring more people into the national conversation that surrounds local, state, and national elections. For many young people, including college students, gaining the ability to vote at the age of 18 is their first real opportunity to express their voice in the political arena. There are any number of issues that have energized young voters in recent years: access to healthcare; the implementation of clean energy initiatives; the future of the U.S economy and the stock market; the fight over education and what students should learn; legalization of marijuana and other drugs; and student loan forgiveness and who can get it. National Voter Registration Day’s goal is to inform everyone about their ability to vote, and, most importantly, make sure people who want to vote are registered to do so. Gaining the right to vote has been a long and often arduous process, particularly for women, minorities, immigrants, and young people themselves. Concern over voter suppression and properly run elections is at one of the highest points in recent memory. Ultimately, one of the greatest privileges as an American citizen is being able to show up to the polls or, increasingly, vote by mail and make one’s voice heard. Protecting these rights is of the utmost importance.

The University of Memphis Libraries is also doing its part to promote Voter Registration Day this year. First, a big thanks is owed to Perveen Rustomfram, the head of the University Libraries Government Publication Department, for working tirelessly to organize these festivities. The Shelby County Election Commission will have a table set up in front of the McWherter Library entrance on Tuesday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; if you aren’t currently registered to vote and are on the University of Memphis Main Campus, drop by and the volunteers working there will guide you through the process of registering in person or online. On the same day from 12:30 to 1:30, McWherter Library and the Government Publications Department will be hosting a panel discussion entitled ‘Power of the Youth Vote.’ It will include Ebony Dawkins-Meeks from Political Science, Otis Sandford from Journalism and Strategic Media, and Cookie Woolner from History. Please plan to attend this wonderful educational opportunity, where University of Memphis professors will discuss the role of young voters now and in the future. It will be held in the McWherter Library Second Floor Commons; refreshments will be provided, including pizza. We hope to see you there!

There is no question that voting is one of the most important rights we can exercise as Americans. We here in the Government Publications Department would also like to share some online resources if you want to explore this topic further:

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New York Stock Exchange

Written by Benjamin Clanton, Government Publications

Most of us have heard terms associated with investing as a part of our daily lives (or just in passing). The stock market and Wall Street. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Growth versus value investing. Treasury bonds and real estate. Bull markets and bear markets. Commodities and futures. And one of the newer topics, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. It can truly make your head spin. But what does it all mean? In 2021, many Americans, including myself, became more interested in this world during what is known as the “Gamestop Saga,” which shone a light on such players as retail investors, hedge funds, and a Reddit community known as Wall Street Bets.

Though this event dealt largely with niche investing, it also led some, including myself, to begin educating themselves on how to invest for their financial future. Luckily, there are a ton of resources available to help you with this journey. The federal government itself makes a point of teaching its citizenry about investing as a part of a larger initiative known as financial literacy. Many of you probably already invest in some form through the workplace, either in a 401(k) or another type of retirement account. However, if you are interested in becoming a bit more proactive and hands-on, I have compiled some websites and books that may help.

A quick reminder before you get started: Many types of investing, especially certain aspects of the stock market and basically all cryptocurrency, come with inherent risks that you need to be informed about; like so many things in life, education and taking it slow are important when investing on your own. And there are any number of investment styles that can cater to you as an individual. So, after all of that, if you still want to explore this surprisingly interesting world, or just want to read up on events and figures that have shaped the way markets operate, take some time to peruse these resources on offer through the Government Publications Department and the University Libraries. At minimum, it could help you better understand what the heck is actually going on when you watch movies like “Wall Street” or “The Big Short.” Enjoy!

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Trading Floor of the New York Stock Exchange

Online Government Resources

Government Documents

For the Beginning Investor

 Wall Street Stories

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Bull of Wall Street

Market Movers and Shakers

 Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and the Future of Finance

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George Washington Carver

Written by Benjamin Clanton, Government Publications

In recognition of Black History Month this year, Government Publications wants to bring attention to resources spotlighting the life and works of George Washington Carver. Carver, who was born into slavery in Missouri, is often studied by students due to his work with peanuts while at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama during the early 20th century. For this very reason, he is often called the ‘Peanut Man,’ as he gained national fame for his research on a number of crops while meeting numerous influential political figures and testifying before Congress in 1921 concerning a peanut tariff; there, despite the specter of segregation, he wowed by displaying a variety of uses for peanut based products. However, it is a disservice to Carver’s legacy to only look at this one aspect of his life and career.

Historian Mark Hersey argues that Carver should also be remembered for his efforts as an ecologist and conservationist, using his research and methods to encourage African American farmers to form a closer relationship with the land as a means of economic and social uplift. When one looks closer, it becomes clear that Carver ardently promoted the planting of crops such as peanuts and sweet potatoes to rotate away from cotton, which is a taxing crop to grow, and replenish the rich but depleted soil of his new Alabama home. Considered by many as both a man surrounded by mythology and an important historical figure in agricultural, environmental, and African American studies, Carver leaves behind an intriguing legacy that is worthy of further exploration. If you are so inclined to look more into his accomplishments, here are some resources available both online and through Government Publications and McWherter Library that can make that exploration a rich journey.

Online Resources

Resources Through Government Publications and McWherter Library

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Written by Benjamin Clanton, Government Publications

The Government Publications Department here at McWherter Library is proud to call attention to Veterans Day every year in order to honor all of those who have served in the branches of the United States military, including the brave soldiers that have given the ultimate sacrifice. This year, I wanted to bring attention to the journals and magazines published by these various branches that are on offer in our section. These publications offer both perspective on the role of the military in the history of this nation, as well its evolution in present day and as we move into the future. Here are a few examples of the newer journals that we receive on a regular basis.

Army History and Marine Corps History

As a former history major, I am interested in all manners of study into our nation’s past and development over the past two and half centuries. This includes examinations of how the U.S. military has shaped the story of our country. Army History, published by the U.S. Army Center of Military History, provides a wide variety of articles examining the history of the U.S. armed forces. Covering battles and advances in military history on a variety of conflicts, including the American Civil War and the myriad wars of the 20th century, this journal does an excellent job of providing the reader with in-depth historical analysis, beautiful photographs, and detailed maps of past battles involving the United States Army. Another great feature are book reviews of new studies pertinent to the U.S. military, covering subjects from the nation’s founding all the way up to modern day.

A nice companion to Army History comes from another branch of the U.S. military in Marine Corps History. Published by the History Division of the Marine Corps University, this peer-reviewed journal offers a wide array of articles on the history of the United States Marine Corps. These offerings not only cover the combat aspect of the Marines, but also provide intimate portraits of individuals that have played a vital role in the evolution of this branch. Beyond these primary articles, the journal also contains review essays and shorter book reviews. But perhaps my favorite aspect of this journal are the covers. Each issue features a wonderful piece of artwork displaying the bravery of American Marines as they fulfill their duties.

Military Review

If you are looking for an examination of the modern role of the U.S. military and its potential future, look no further than Military Review, which describes itself as “the professional journal of the U.S. Army.” Like the other two journals, it shows in its bimonthly issues that the U.S. military is much more than just combat and warfare. Examples of articles that appear in this expertly produced journal include deep dives into the role of the U.S. military both today and moving forward in a more advanced and interconnected world; for example, a particularly interesting examination looks in to the ever-developing role of the Army into cyberwarfare, something that has only become an increasing threat in recent history. This displays the efforts of the American armed forces to stay on the cutting edge of emerging technological advancements. It also provides studies into the rapidly changing geopolitical climate that the U.S. military must navigate in the 21st century.

These are but a few of the journals offered by the Government Publications Department. I would encourage anyone interested in military subjects, both historical and ongoing, to visit the current journals shelf by the Government Reading Room near the front of our section. Also, there are a number of periodicals from years past in the collection that are worth a look as well. We are always available to give interested patrons more information on these valuable resources. Finally, if you are in the library, drop by the wonderful Veterans Day display curated by Betsy Eckert, which features a variety of items that are on offer from the Government Publications Department. You can also access a number of related government and historical resources at our newly updated Honoring Veterans Libguide on the library’s website.

I echo the sentiments of so many Americans in thanking those that have served in our nation’s armed forces throughout the years, both in peacetime and in war. It is a day to honor all of their sacrifices and to remember their service to this country.

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Written by Benjamin Clanton, Government Publications

Every year, the Government Publications Department at the University of Memphis likes to bring attention to Constitution Day to honor, as you may have guessed, the U.S. Constitution. We have all likely seen news stories debating whether a law or court ruling is ‘constitutional.’ And I am sure, like me, you have wondered: what exactly does that mean? Constitutionality can pertain to most hot button issues in our modern society, whether it be immigration reform or gun control or the power to wage war. Luckily, there are resources available through the federal government that interpret such situations in a way that is accessible to everyday citizens and not just those versed in constitutional law.

One such resource is known as the ‘Constitution Annotated,’ curated by the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress and available online at Congress.gov. This invaluable and periodically updated document provides short essays examining new interpretations of the governmental powers outlined in the Constitution and its Amendments. As mentioned before, there is always debate about what our government can and cannot legislate, and how rights protected by the Constitution, such as free speech, are affected by things such as new technologies and controversial events.

The Constitution is often considered a living document. Every year, the U.S. Supreme Court decides on cases that affect how our society will function based on this concept. Thankfully, the ‘Constitution Annotated’ provides understandable analysis through its essays on the ongoing evolution of how the Constitution shapes our lives. And, though tempting, I advise you to never skip the footnotes in these essays: they provide links to landmark court cases that, whether you realize it or not, determine how our country governs and how the Constitution protects the rights of American citizens.

Other resources

  • If you would like to view the print version of the ‘Constitution Annotated,’ also known as the ‘Constitution of the United States: Analysis and Interpretation,’ it is available in PDF format at Govinfo.gov.
  • Before diving into the interpretive essays of the ‘Constitution Annotated,’ you may want to read the original source material, the U.S. Constitution, here at the National Archives website.
  • There is a wonderful display celebrating Constitution Day, put together by our very own Betsy Eckert, in McWherter Library between the Rotunda and the Government Publications Department. And while you are there, grab a complimentary Pocket Constitution to refer to wherever you go!

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Written by Benjamin Clanton, Government Publications Department

Every March, numerous private and governmental health organizations from around the country promote what is known as National Nutrition Month. Individuals and businesses have become increasingly aware of what foods and drinks we put in our bodies. The past decade has seen the increased popularization of things such as organically raised meats, vegetables, and fruits (many grown locally in our own communities), along with stores and farmers markets where these items are widely accessible. Thankfully, a variety of online government resources on both the state and federal levels provide information and even recipes that reflect the want and need of Americans to educate themselves about their own health and nutrition.

So, the next time you are looking for nutrition information or a new healthy recipe, for you or your loved ones, for any meal of the day (including snack time!), feel free to peruse these online recipes and other informational resources provided by the State of Tennessee and the Federal Government.

Also, the Government Publications Department here at McWherter Library provides these fun online cookbooks to students and staff to peruse for new meal ideas!

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