For many people with chronic illness, getting diagnosed is just the beginning. You may feel like you have to become an advocate, doctor, and researcher to get the care you need. Finding scientific information can be difficult—especially since most research articles are written for professionals, not for people with these conditions.
This guide will help you find and access research on the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD)—no degree required.
If you search for EDS or HSD on Google, you will likely find a mix of blog posts, medical advice sites, and a few research articles. Fortunately, there are search tools designed specifically for finding research.
This guide will show you how to search for research on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Wiley Online Library to find the most reliable information on EDS and HSD.
A scientific journal is a publication that shares new research, usually written by scientists for other scientists. Think of it like a magazine but with research articles instead of articles about celebrities or recipes.
Before a research article is published in a scientific journal, it is carefully reviewed by other experts in the field. This process is called peer review. These experts check the article to ensure the research was conducted properly and the information is accurate. Because of this process, the information in scientific journals is usually more trustworthy than what you might find in blogs, websites, or social media posts.
Google Scholar is a free search engine that allows users to find research articles and reports. It’s like regular Google, but it focuses on content from a smaller, more academic pool of sources. Google Scholar is not as selective as academic databases like PubMed or Wiley Online Library, so it’s smart to double-check the quality and credibility of what you find.
Click on each keyword below the image to highlight the corresponding feature in Google Scholar. This interactive tool will help you see exactly where each feature is located
Google Scholar listings usually include:
The sort tool on the left side of the screen to reorder the search results based on:
Use the filters on the left side of the screen to narrow the search results based on:
Extra features are located at the bottom of each listing:
Google Scholar also has an advanced search feature to refine your results. Click the three horizontal lines to the left of the Google Scholar logo to open the side menu with the advanced search feature. Advanced searches can help you find articles:
PubMed is a free online database run by the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM). It helps users find peer-reviewed research from trusted medical journals.
Click on each keyword below the image to highlight the corresponding feature in PubMed. This interactive tool will help you see where each feature is located
PubMed listings usually include:
Use the sort tool to reorder the search results based on:
Use the filters on the left side of the screen to narrow the search results based on:
Create a free NCBI account in the top right corner to:
PubMed also has an advanced search feature to refine your results. You can access it by clicking Advanced on the PubMed homepage.
To the left of the search bar, a drop-down menu allows you to search within specific fields. For example, if you select Author, it will search for articles with authors that match your search term. If you choose All Fields, you will find articles that include the search term anywhere in the article.
To the right of the search bar is a drop-down menu with simple tools that can help refine your search:
| Tool | Function | Example Search | Example Results |
| AND | To find results that include both terms | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome AND pain | Results that include both EDS and pain |
| OR | To find results that include either term | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome OR hypermobility spectrum disorder | Results that include either EDS or HSD |
| NOT | To exclude a term from your search | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome NOT hypermobility spectrum disorder | For results that include EDS but not HSD |
Wiley Online Library is a comprehensive academic publishing platform that offers access to peer-reviewed journals, books, and research articles across various subjects, with a particular focus on science and medicine.
Click on each keyword below the image to highlight the corresponding feature in Wiley Online Library. This interactive tool will help you see where each feature is located
Wiley Online Library listings usually show:
Use the sort tool to reorder the search results based on:
Use the Filters on the left side of the screen to narrow the search results based on:
Create a free account to:
Click on the article and select related on the right side to find similar research
Wiley Online Library also has an advanced search function to help refine your results. You can access it by clicking the Advanced button under the search bar on the homepage or by using the drop-down menu under Articles & Chapters after running a search.
To the left of the search bars, a drop-down menu allows you to search within specific fields. For example, if you select Author, it will search for articles with authors that match your search term. If you select Anywhere, it will find articles that include the search term anywhere in the article.
Below this, the Published In section allows you to search for research from a specific book, journal, or reference work title.
Finally, the Publication Date section helps narrow your search to articles published within a specific time frame.
Google Scholar is a free search engine that allows users to find research articles and reports. It’s like regular Google, but it focuses on content from a smaller, more academic pool of sources. Google Scholar is not as selective as academic databases like PubMed or Wiley Online Library, so it’s smart to double-check the quality and credibility of what you find.
Click on each keyword below the image to highlight the corresponding feature in Google Scholar. This interactive tool will help you see exactly where each feature is located
Google Scholar listings usually include:
The sort tool on the left side of the screen to reorder the search results based on:
Use the filters on the left side of the screen to narrow the search results based on:
Extra features are located at the bottom of each listing:
Google Scholar also has an advanced search feature to refine your results. Click the three horizontal lines to the left of the Google Scholar logo to open the side menu with the advanced search feature. Advanced searches can help you find articles:
PubMed is a free online database run by the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM). It helps users find peer-reviewed research from trusted medical journals.
Click on each keyword below the image to highlight the corresponding feature in PubMed. This interactive tool will help you see where each feature is located
PubMed listings usually include:
Use the sort tool to reorder the search results based on:
Use the Filters on the left side of the screen to narrow the search results based on:
Create a free NCBI account in the top right corner to:
PubMed also has an advanced search feature to refine your results. You can access it by clicking Advanced on the PubMed homepage.
To the left of the search bar, a drop-down menu allows you to search within specific fields. For example, if you select Author, it will search for articles with authors that match your search term. If you choose All Fields, you will find articles that include the search term anywhere in the article.
To the right of the search bar is a drop-down menu with simple tools that can help refine your search:
Function: To find results that include both terms
Example Search: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome AND pain
Example Results: Results that include both EDS and pain
Function: To find results that include either term
Example Search: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome OR hypermobility spectrum disorder
Example Results: Results that include either EDS or HSD
Function: To exclude a term from your search
Example Search: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome NOT hypermobility spectrum disorder
Example Results: For results that include EDS but not HSD
Wiley Online Library is a comprehensive academic publishing platform that offers access to peer-reviewed journals, books, and research articles across various subjects, with a particular focus on science and medicine.
Click on each keyword below the image to highlight the corresponding feature in Wiley Online Library. This interactive tool will help you see where each feature is located
Wiley Online Library listings usually show:
Use the sort tool to reorder the search results based on:
Use the filters on the left side of the screen to narrow the search results based on:
Create a free account to:
Click on the article and select related on the right side to find similar research
Wiley Online Library also has an advanced search function to help refine your results. You can access it by clicking the Advanced button under the search bar on the homepage or by using the drop-down menu under Articles & Chapters after running a search.
To the left of the search bars, a drop-down menu allows you to search within specific fields. For example, if you select Author, it will search for articles with authors that match your search term. If you select Anywhere, it will find articles that include the search term anywhere in the article.
Below this, the Published In section allows you to search for research from a specific book, journal, or reference work title.
Finally, the Publication Date section helps narrow your search to articles published within a specific time frame.
Finding research articles online is easier with the right search strategies. Begin by using simple, specific search terms, and avoid long phrases or complete sentences. These can confuse search engines and make it harder to find relevant research.
Abbreviations can also cause issues. In science, the same abbreviation may refer to different things, which can lead to unrelated results. For example, if you search for “EDS,” the results might include articles on erectile dysfunctions and eating disorders. Try using full terms like “Ehlers-Danlos syndrome” to narrow your results.
The table below outlines useful search tools like AND, OR, NOT, quotation marks, truncation symbols, and wildcard symbols. These tools can refine your search and make it easier to find exactly what you need.
| Search Tool | Function | Example Search | Example Search Results |
| AND | To find results that include both terms | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome AND pain | Results that include both Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and pain |
| OR | To find results that include either term | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome OR hypermobility spectrum disorder | Results that include either EDS or HSD |
| NOT | To exclude a term from your search | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome NOT hypermobility spectrum disorder | Results that include EDS but not HSD |
| Quotes (“”) | To find results that include the exact phrase | “Hypermobility spectrum disorder” | Results that include the phrase hypermobility spectrum disorder but not the search terms hypermobility, spectrum, or disorder separately |
| Truncation Symbol (*) | To find results that include all possible endings of a search term | Hypermobil* | Results that include hypermobile, hypermobility, and any other search term that starts with hypermobil
Note: Searches without truncation symbols usually automatically include common variations, like verb tenses or regional spellings |
| Wildcard Symbol (?) | To find results that include all possible spelling variations in a search term | Wom?n | Results that include woman, women, and any other search term that contains a different letter in place of the symbol |
Finding research articles online is easier with the right search strategies. Begin by using simple, specific search terms, and avoid long phrases or complete sentences. These can confuse search engines and make it harder to find relevant research.
Abbreviations can also cause issues. In science, the same abbreviation may refer to different things, which can lead to unrelated results. For example, if you search for “EDS,” the results might include articles on erectile dysfunctions and eating disorders. Try using full terms like “Ehlers-Danlos syndrome” to narrow your results.
The table below outlines useful search tools like AND, OR, NOT, quotation marks, truncation symbols, and wildcard symbols. These tools can refine your search and make it easier to find exactly what you need.
AND
Function: To find results that include both terms
Example Search: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome AND pain
Example Results: Results that include both Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and pain
OR
Function: To find results that include either term
Example Search: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome OR hypermobility spectrum disorder
Example Results: Results that include either EDS or HSD
NOT
Function: To exclude a term from your search
Example Search: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome NOT hypermobility spectrum disorder
Example Results: Results that include EDS but not HSD
Quotes (“”)
Function: To find results that include the exact phrase
Example Search: “Hypermobility spectrum disorder”
Example Results: Results that include the phrase hypermobility spectrum disorder but not the search terms hypermobility, spectrum, or disorder separately
Truncation Symbol (*)
Function: To find results that include all possible endings of a search term
Example Search: Hypermobil*
Example Results: Results that include hypermobile, hypermobility, and any other search term that starts with hypermobil
Note: Searches without truncation symbols usually automatically include common variations, like verb tenses or regional spellings
Wildcard Symbol (?)
Function: To find results that include all possible spelling variations in a search term
Example Search: Wom?n
Example Results: Results that include woman, women, and any other search term that contains a different letter in place of the symbol
Some research articles are freely available to the public. This is known as open access research. Other articles are behind paywalls and require readers to have a subscription or make a payment for access. Here is a simple breakdown of the different types of access:
Most journal articles are behind paywalls, requiring payment to access. Universities and libraries often have subscriptions that give students and staff access, but coverage can be limited. For people without access, purchasing articles can be costly, frequently $30 or more per article.
Some articles are temporarily free to read, often as part of a promotional offer, a special issue, or a themed collection. Since this access is typically time-limited, it’s worth downloading them while they’re available, if possible.
Open access articles remain free to read permanently, making research accessible to everyone without charge. There is a growing movement to expand open access, especially for publicly funded studies. Increasing open access would allow more people to access valuable research.
Now that you have the tools to find research, you can stay up to date on the latest research on EDS and HSD.
Explore our guide on how to read research on EDS and HSD to learn how to break down research papers, find trustworthy sources, and avoid misinformation.
