This one-hour online training will provide an overview of the CMS Virtual Library, an online resource designed specifically to support the information needs of CMS staff. This training will discuss CMS Virtual Library services and information resources. If you are unable to attend this training and would like an individual or small group orientation on CMS Virtual Library resources and services, please contact [email protected].
Databases and Searching
The NIH Library offers training on many databases and resources useful for identifying published information. Classes are offered on a diverse set of topics ranging from finding published articles and clinical information, to article and author-specific information, to searching for regulatory information and chemical structures. The list below includes Databases & Searching classes in our course catalog. Click the title of the class to view any upcoming sessions.
Advanced PubMed
This one-hour online training will cover some advanced features of using the PubMed interface. This training will demonstrate how to use special, customizable features of PubMed to improve their searches and save and manipulate search results.
By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:
Animal Model and Model Organism Information Resources
This one-hour online training will cover techniques on locating biomedical research articles, patents, NIH-funded research projects, genetic information, and print and electronic books related to animal models and model organisms. This training will also discuss the differences between animal models, research organisms, and model organisms, and will review requirements and resources for the NIH Model Organism Sharing Policy.
Exploring the Cochrane Library: Systematic Reviews, Clinical Trials, and More
This 75-minute online training will provide information about Cochrane Library, a collection of databases with high-quality systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials and clinical answers. The training will cover the key features of the search platform, the variety of resources and how to search them.
By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:
Finding Literature on Animal Use Alternatives
This one-hour online training, presented by Technical Information Specialists from the National Agricultural Library’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC), provides an introduction of how to conduct a literature search for animal use alternatives using bibliographic databases.
Finding Relevant Results in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science
This one-hour online session is intended to provide an overview, an in-depth description and comparison of three databases available to NIH researchers: Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. The instructors
Foundations of CAS SciFinder
This one-hour and a half online training introduces CAS SciFinder, a powerful research tool for exploring chemical and biological information. Attendees will learn how to search for and analyze compounds, investigate reaction pathways, and connect chemical structures to relevant scientific literature and bioactivity data. The session will highlight SciFinder's integration with BioFinder, providing researchers with comprehensive insights to support discovery and development.
By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:
How to Create an Effective ORCiD Profile
This one-hour training will cover the key steps on how to successfully create an ORCiD profile. Attendees will learn the steps on how to easily add and update information to their profile including importing publications, reports, grants, and peer review scholarly work. The session will review resources and best practices for creating an ORCiD profile that can be included in your CV, grant applications and bio to increase the visibility of your scholarly activities.
Introduction to Scopus
This one-hour online training will cover the essentials of searching the Scopus database. The database covers the health sciences, physical sciences, life sciences, and social sciences. The types of documents include articles, patents, conferences, preprints, and many others. Each record has citation data. This introductory training is designed for attendees to learn how to search the database and to retrieve cited references.
Introduction to the Systematic Review Process
This one-hour online introductory training in the NIH Library Evidence Synthesis Review Series provides a high-level overview of the complete process for conducting a Systematic Review. This training will cover each step for conducting a systematic review and introduce resources for conducting and reporting a systematic review.
By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:
Introduction to Web of Science
This one-hour online training will cover the essentials of searching the Web of Science database. The database covers the health sciences, physical sciences, life sciences, and social sciences. The types of documents include articles, patents, dissertations, conferences, preprints, and many others. Each record has citation data. This introductory training is designed for participants to learn how to search the database and to retrieve cited references.
NIH Library Introduction for HHS Staff
This one-hour online training will provide an overview of NIH Library services and information resources provided for HHS staff via the HHS Virtual Library.
By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:
Demonstrate how to remotely access and login to the HHS Virtual Library online
Identify the NIH Librarian assigned to their agency
NIH Library Resources for HHS Staff
This one-hour online training will provide an overview of NIH Library services and information resources provided for HHS staff via the HHS Virtual Library.
By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:
Demonstrate how to remotely access and login to the HHS Virtual Library online
Identify the NIH Librarian assigned to their agency
NIH Library Resources for NIH Staff
This one-hour online training is an introduction to the collection of NIH Library resources and services available to NIH staff. The NIH Library serves as the staff library for NIH. This training is designed to instruct attendees on the range of information support and how to navigate the Library’s website to access the information required to support their work.
By the end of this training, attendees will be able to:
Patent Search and Analysis Tools
This one-hour online training will cover an overview of patent search tools, with a focus on search and analysis options in a variety of patent databases: Espacenet, Google Patents, PATENTSCOPE, Derwent Innovations Index, and Lens.org. During this training, the instructor will review patent search concepts including patent families, patent classification systems, and kind codes. Chemical structure and genetic sequence search options will also be covered.
Resources for Identifying Experts in a Field
This one hour and fifteen-minute online training will provide an overview of databases and author profile websites to help locate experts in a research field. During this training, the instructor will review how to use tools to locate authors related to a specific topic, find algorithmically generated author profiles, and how to find author-maintained profiles.
SciFinder and BioFinder: Advanced Strategies for Researchers
This one hour and a half online training introduces advanced strategies in CAS SciFinder and BioFinder, two powerful research platforms for exploring chemical and biological information. Attendees will learn how to apply sophisticated search techniques, interpret complex datasets, and investigate reaction mechanisms in detail. The session will emphasize how BioFinder’s unique features integrate biological insights with chemical data, enabling researchers to connect structures, reactions, and experimental findings with broader biological contexts.