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PaperChase: a user-friendly program for searching the biomedical literature.
1Center for Clinical Computing, Boston, MA 02115.
Biotechniques
|June 1, 1990
Summary
PaperChase offers an easy-to-use interface for searching the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database. It translates everyday language into Medical Subject Headings, simplifying biomedical literature searches for all users.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Informatics
- Medical Librarianship
Background:
- Accessing the biomedical literature can be challenging due to complex indexing terminology.
- Efficiently searching databases like MEDLINE is crucial for researchers and healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce PaperChase, a computer program designed to simplify access to the MEDLINE database.
- To provide an efficient and user-friendly interface for searching biomedical literature.
Main Methods:
- PaperChase utilizes a menu-driven system for novice users and a command language for experienced users.
- The program automatically maps everyday language search terms to Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).
- It offers suggestions for additional MeSH terms to refine searches and allows ordering of full-text articles.
Main Results:
- PaperChase provides an efficient interface to the MEDLINE database, accessible via computer terminals or personal computers with modems.
- No specialized knowledge of computers or biomedical terminology is required.
- The system successfully translates user queries into MeSH, broadening or narrowing searches as needed.
Conclusions:
- PaperChase significantly enhances the accessibility and efficiency of searching the biomedical literature.
- It empowers users of all technical levels to navigate and retrieve relevant information from MEDLINE.
- The program supports users with additional resources like documentation, newsletters, and search specialist assistance.