Databases allow you to search for peer reviewed articles from a large number of journal titles at the same time. The Library subscribes to a number of databases which you can access with your City email address. There are also databases available online which are free to use.
If you are performing a literature review for an assignment searching 3 or 4 databases will suffice. For a dissertation or doctoral research, searching between 5-8 databases is the norm.
See our Literature searching guide for help with searching databases.
Masters and Doctoral students who are writing a dissertation or research paper should use our Advanced literature searching and systematic reviews guide which covers more advanced search techniques.
EBSCOhost is a platform which gives you access to a number of databases, covering various subjects. You can create an account and save and edit any searches you perform within these databases.
To help you select databases most relevant to your research, here are details of those which cover information that may be relevant to Public Health.
Multidisciplinary database providing access to full text articles, reports, conference proceedings and books.
Accessibility statement for Academic Search Ultimate
Access to international literature in psychology, behavioural science and social sciences from the 1880s to present.
Accessibility statement for APA PsycInfo
Database covering nursing and allied health research, including more than 50 nursing specialties.
Accessibility statement for CINAHL
Covers all issues in the discipline of health policy such as health care access, health care quality, health care financing, etc.
Accessibility statement for Health Policy Reference Center
The Health Policy Reference Center is a comprehensive full-text database designed to support the informational needs of corporations, medical institutions, government agencies, and other entities relative to health policy.
Database of information and peer reviewed research related to biomedicine, life sciences, behavioural sciences and biomedical engineering. Recommended for systematic reviews.
Accessibility statement for Medline Complete
The full text articles to some journals may have embargo period up to 12 months.
Covers all areas of sociology including criminology and criminal justice, demography, ethnic and racial studies, gender studies, marriage and family, political sociology, social development, and social psychology.
Accessibility statement for Sociology Source Ultimate
Ovid Online is a platform which gives you access to a number of health databases. You can create an account and save and edit any searches you perform within these databases.
To help you select databases most relevant to your research, here are details of those which cover information that may be relevant to Public Health.
Search for information on a range of specialities across allied health professions including alternative and complementary therapies.
Accessibility statement for AMED
Produced by the British Library's Health Care Information Service.
Contains references to thousands of controlled clinical healthcare trials.
Accessibility statement for Cochrane Central Register Controlled Trials
Provides access to systematic reviews about the effectiveness of various interventions on a range of health conditions and issues.
Accessibility statement for Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
High quality database for research across medicine and health sciences which is updated daily and recommended for systematic reviews.
Accessibility statement for Embase
Covers the following aspects of human health and disease: communicable diseases, tropical diseases, parasitic diseases, human nutrition, community and public health, medicinal and poisonous plants.
Accessibility statement for Global Health
Covers health service policy, management and administration, with an emphasis on the British National Health Service.
Accessibility statement for HMIC
Specialist database focusing on research and information related to midwifery, pregnancy, neonatal and postnatal care plus related topics.
Accessibility statement for Maternity and Infant Care
Nursing and allied health database including international journals.
Accessibility statement for Ovid Emcare
Database of social science research including public & social policy; public health; social care; community development; mental and community health; homelessness; housing; crime; equalities; law and order and more.
Accessibility statement for Social Policy and Practice
Provides access to articles covering the key areas of public health, including public policy, non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, social determinants of disease, and key issues of poverty, equity, and social justice.
Accessibility statement for Oxford Bibliographies - Public Health
This list provides access to free online databases covering specialist topics including Addiction, Covid-19, Elderly, Epidemiology, Exercise, Global Health, Health Promotion, LGBTQ, Obesity, Palliative Care, Public Health, Reproductive Health and Sexual Health.