Pathways to Nursing: A Guide to Library and Online Research in Nursing and Allied Health

Nursing and the related health sciences are at present dynamic fields that need to deal with demands for evidence‐based practice, increased research, continuing education and increased expectations from patients. I would therefore expect a guide on information and research skills to at least aptly introduce nurses to the dynamic information world and especially the vast wealth of resources available freely available on the web.

In this respect, Pathways to Nursing is a very disappointing publication. My impression was always that any publication from Information Today would be a “safe buy”, but I really cannot see how the book adds any real value to the training of nurses in information skills. With regard to the research process, the content is even more inadequate. Although the price is reasonable for the type of publication, I would expect more “solid” content and relevant references.

Other reviewers may, however, disagree with me. I would therefore advise readers who need to make a decision on buying the book to compare reviews, and also to consider my concerns about the aspects discussed and the examples included.

The book consists of an Introduction, seven chapters and a list of resources. The first chapter deals extensively with the library as physical space, and the second with the library catalogue, and especially how to use the card catalogue. Even in developing countries, I would expect a stronger emphasis on electronic catalogues and access to web catalogues. Chapter 3 deals with the reference collection and how to use dictionaries, encyclopaedias, government documents and indexes. Although electronic reference works are mentioned, the emphasis is very strongly on printed documents and actually how to use these. Chapter 4 covers printed periodicals and indexes, with very little mention of the wealth of e‐journals available in the nursing field: if students cannot subscribe to these journals, they can at least note the tables of contents and trends in nursing practice and research.

In Chapter 5 we at last have a 22‐page discussion of electronic resources and the internet. Under the heading for electronic journals no mention is made of any nursing e‐journal titles or e‐zines. Instead of absolutely going overboard with references to nursing‐related organisations (a few are mentioned), the reader is made aware of hobbyist and collectors' web sites such as the American Numismatic Association and Collectors.Org. Personally, I think one can deal in much more detail with the value of professional organisations' web sites, for example in gaining access to research reports, conference calls for papers, publications, newsletters, etc. Under specialised search engines, GoogleGroups is mentioned. The only directory mentioned is Yahoo!. The use and value of directories are explained by using comparative searches on search engines such as Google and AltaVista. Online search services such as Dialog and LexisNexis are mentioned, but with no reference to specific database titles that might be of use, or the fact that these services can be accessed via the web. In fact anyone with a credit card may do a Dialog search – of course at a price. Databases like Medline (PubMed) that are freely available on the web are also not mentioned at this stage. Under the heading for local databases, CD‐ROM databases are mentioned, but once again without mentioning any specific titles. Furthermore, it is not clear how the authors distinguish between online search services (with Dialog and LexisNexis as examples), and another heading, “Other online databases”, where H.W. Wilson and EBSCO are mentioned. Document delivery is dealt with in considerable detail, before briefly mentioning free databases such as the PubMed and Rehab databases. Interestingly enough, these databases are discussed under the main heading of “Untested resources”, where it is explained to the reader that “availability does not equate quality”. Chapter 5 concludes with a six‐line paragraph on citing electronic resources. There is not one example of such citations or any reference to the numerous web sites with guidelines. The reader is merely referred to the guides listed in the bibliography, where an extensive list of printed sources is listed, including guides on how to get published, handbooks for writers of research papers, etc.

Writing a research paper is covered in about eight pages in Chapter 6. Main headings include the development of a strategy in terms of using the catalogue, periodicals, journal articles (there is hardly any mention of developing a search strategy, as we understand it under online searching), developing the topic and “knowing and owning the materials”.

The most confusing part of the book is, however, the list of resources, where it is really not clear what criteria the authors used to include titles. I was rather puzzled by titles such as references to document delivery services specialising in chemistry, law, patents and newspapers. Document delivery is followed by the heading “Outside the US”, which I found really confusing. Under databases “The Internet Movie Database” is listed, with no mention to Medline or PubMed. These are but a few of the references that puzzled me.

Even the index is puzzling, with entries such as “automation, 17‐20 See also computerization” and “by before about rule”. What is the value of these when teaching information skills to nurses?

I cannot recommend Pathways to Nursing to the intended audience. Lecturers who wish to prescribe the title or LIS professionals who wish to use it in their training courses may do well to compare reviews and to search for alternative titles as well as possible guidelines on the web.