MEDLINE. A GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE SEARCHING

What can one expect to learn from a guide to effective MEDLINE searching? The author states that his intention is to promote `better searches and, hence, better application of what is known . . . to help you search with an understanding of what is possible and not be disappointed.' He does not, however, identify his target audience and so, as librarians with differing amounts of experience in both searching and teaching MEDLINE, we set out to decide whether the book had achieved this objective. Chapter 1 (`Origins') provides a stimulating account of the origins of MEDLINE from J. Shaw Billings via Hollerith's punch cards to web-based, full-text access. A detailed and clear explanation of Boolean logic is also provided along with key points that any end-user should be aware of such as the density of the indexing, the use of a controlled vocabulary and grammar (Medical Subject Headings, MeSH) and the requirement for practice and for active thought when using MEDLINE. Whilst the history of the database is likely to include something of interest for most readers, the extended explanation of the principles of Boolean logic is probably unnecessary. The chapter is well written, however, and the author's readable style is well illustrated in the following quotation which provides excellent justification for the book: `Using MEDLINE is a bit like driving a powerful racing car that has been modified for street use. It can transport you with astonishing speed to places you don't want to go.' Chapter 2 (on searching) notes the size of database, explaining that 4200 journals are indexed and some 33 000 new citations are added each month. Although these may arguably be the `best' journals, it is not made clear to readers that this selection constitutes only 35–40% of all biomedical journals and that non-journal …