Module 3: Electronic Index, Guideline Index, Search Engine

I was able to use an electronic index (PubMed), a guideline index (National Guideline Clearinghouse web site), and a web search engine (Google) to research diabetic amputations. I found that these three techniques have some similarities and differences, and some strengths and weaknesses. The electronic index is unique in that it provides articles about all of the information available about a given topic (unlike the guideline index which just offers practice guidelines). It would be useful in writing a resarch paper. However, if I were at work and trying to discover the best way to perform a certain procedure, the guideline index would be the most convenient. I would have less information through which to filter. The web search engine is useful in that it is available from any computer that has the internet, unlike the electronic index, which is only available in some libraries. It provides a lot of information about a given topic, and a search can be narrowed as in the other two indices. However, the sources of the information should be researched to make sure the information they contain is valid. An added benefit of the web search engines is that a lot of the information is written in language that would be understood by patients; they could therefore be printed out and given to patients for educational material.
All three information sources were useful for my information retrieval. Their usefulness simply depends on the reason that I am conducting the search. I preferred PubMed for my own learning purposes, simply because I find that research articles can be critiqued for their validity. However, if I wanted to provide educational material for my patients, I might use a web search engine. If I wanted to determine if my floor uses the most up-to-date practices, I would look at the national guideline clearinghouse. An alternative research method would be to look at textbooks or books about certain topics (the "old-fashioned" way), by using a library index. Because I want to find different types of information in different situations, context-relevant information retrieval would definitely be useful.