What are interventional studies?
Interventional studies are a specific epidemiological study type which is prospective and specifically tailored to evaluate direct impacts of treatment or preventive measures on disease. For example, a investigation of the iodine supplementation of cooking salt to prevent cretinism in a region with iodine deficiency.
Tips for searching for interventional studies
Articles outlining interventional studies, like other peer-reviewed and evidenced-based articles, can be found through searching CINAHL and other nursing databases.
- To best develop keywords for your search, formulate a research question using the PICOT format.
- Consult CINAHL Headings for alternative terms from your PICOT.
- Avoid using "intervention" as a keyword. Many intervention articles will not have this term in their name or abstracts.
- Avoid using the journal subset or publication type Advanced Search limiters, at least at first search. These may exclude many articles which were not exhaustively indexed.
- Consider, after a initial search, to use the Advanced Search limiter Special Interest and the category Public Health.
- Read abstracts. A reading can determine whether the article is an intervention study or not.
