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Database Search Services

Self-Service Searching

Self-service searching is available on a variety of databases. You may search, for example, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, BIOSIS, Web of Science and many other resources without charge. Ask at the Information Desk for help selecting appropriate databases and constructing search strategies, or contact the HSL liaison for your University of Washington (UW) department to arrange a consultation.

Mediated Searching

Library staff can provide individually tailored searches from hundreds of bibliographic and factual databases to support the research, educational and clinical needs of current students, staff and faculty of the University of Washington's six Health Sciences schools and UW Medicine.

We regret we are unable to provide mediated search services for alumni or those not currently affiliated with the UW at this time.

Searches may be requested

Turnaround time

In general, online results are available for delivery by email within 48 hours (two working days) from submission, excluding weekends and holidays. Individuals with clinical emergencies or patient care requests are given immediate priority.

Search Prices and Payment

Search fees (see below), if any, are payable upon billing. All results are provided by email. Charges may be paid by UW budget number, cash, check or credit card.

Online Search Fees

Effective date: 10 May 2004

Prices are subject to change without notice.

Prices include local WA sales tax where appropriate. Service fee charges include the University cash surcharge when appropriate.

Database Searches

  UW Budget UW Non-Budget
Search Costs Direct vendor costs Direct vendor costs + 15.6% University surcharge
Service Fee $10 $11.56

Service fee may be waived if locally available databases are used.

Extensive or very large search projects will be by special arrangement, with information specialist's time billed ( $50/hour for UW budgets; $60/hr non-budget) in addition to the search costs and service fee.

Email Alert Services

UW individuals may establish a profile to retrieve recently published references from Current Contents, CINAHL or other databases via electronic mail on an ongoing basis at no charge. This service is known by many names, eg., current awareness, selective dissmemination of information (SDI), table of contents service, or email alert services. For more information, see Email Alert Services, at http://healthlinks.washington.edu/howto/alerts.html HSL liaisons are available to assist in creating and saving your profile.

For databases not available locally, the charge for a current awareness subscription will include a $5 service charge per search, plus the actual cost of the search. All results are provided via email. A cost estimate will be provided upon request.