There are multiple reasons for searching the NDA, however, most searches are for one of two reasons.  The first primary reason is to identify data sets of interest to researchers. This tutorial will focus on that type of search.  NOTE: Before you can download data at the subject's level, you must have signed a Data Use Certification with the NDA.  The “Accessing Shared Data Tutorial” will explain the entire process from signing a Data Use Certification to creating data packages to download for your use.

The second primary reason is because researchers will be submitting their research data to the NDA and need to identify Data Structures and/or Data Elements that they can use either as is or with minor modification.  There is another tutorial called “How to Search the NIMH Data Archive (NDA) for new Grantees” that focuses on that type of search.

There are 2 search tools on the NDA website, which differ substantially in their capabilities.  One is on the NDA home page and the other is a series of related search pages grouped under the name NDA Query Tool, which can be accessed via some of the buttons under the “Get Data” pull-down list on the NDA homepage.  Your reasons for searching will influence which search tool you use, and the logic used in creating those searches.  Since it not possible to cover every type of search, this tutorial will concentrate on the logic and strategies for the various types of searches and filters.