PubMed
This guide helps users to learn how to use the new and updated PubMed and show them what the new features are and where to find some of the old features.
Basic Search
The default search mode in PubMed is Basic Search which displays a distinctive single search box. Users may enter one or more search terms and then click the Search button to retrieve results. This is useful in performing a simple and quick search. For example, if you want to run a quick search on the term COVID-10, you may just enter the term or more related terms in the search box to start. While you are entering the search term, the system's auto-complete function displays suggested terms for you. You may choose any of those suggested terms or continue typing your own terms to search. See the screen captures below for a basic search example:
Tutorials and Instructional Resources for Using Basic Search
- Find Articles on a TopicA brief and interactive video tutorial prepared by NLM.
- Find Articles by AuthorThis short video shows the three ways to search by author. The first way is to type an author's last space initials in the Basic Search box.
- Find Articles by JournalThere are several ways to search for articles by journal. In the Basic Search mode, type in the journal title, or abbreviated title, or ISSN to search. For journals like Cell, Pediatrics, or Science which can also be a topic, then you should use Advanced Search mode to search.
- Find articles from a CitationIn Basic Search, type an author's name, a journal title word, or an article title word, and the year of publicaton. You will likely find a specific citation you need.
- Tips for Using PubMedThis is a two-page handout on the very basics of PubMed prepared by the National Library of Medicien on March 6, 2020.