Cochrane is a relatively small database which contains only a few thousand records – compared to MEDLINE which has over 10 million and CINAHL over 3 million. The full-text reviews are a synthesis of studies that answer a common clinical question.

The DARE (Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects) database, which is included in the Cochrane Library, "contains abstracts of systematic reviews that have been quality-assessed. Each abstract includes a summary of the review together with a critical commentary about the overall quality." The systematic reviews assessed in DARE are from the journal literature. Search the library's catalog for print or online library holdings of the journal.

• Located in the Online Resources under "C" Full-text of all reviews.
• Broad keyword searches work the best.
• Use the Advanced Search to separate your search concepts into different search boxes.
• Two types of Cochrane records
  • Review - the full report
  • Protocol - a review in progress. The record will provide background, objectives, and methods for the review as well as the expected date of completion.
• Access DARE abstracts by clicking on the Other Reviews link in the result set.

View this brief video demonstration on the Cochrane and DARE search process