Grant Searching using SPIN

SPIN is part of InfoEd Global. SPIN is an online database that provides information from over 10,000 sponsors about Federal, Non-federal, and international funding opportunities.

When first opening SPIN it brings you straight to the search page. In the top right corner they give you the option to login if you have an account.


 Under the search drop down they give you the option to search Text, keyword, or advanced.

Text Search

Keyword Search

Advanced Search

For my search I used the default option of Text Search. 

The subject topic I was looking for was Attention deficit hyperactive disorder. 

Natural 

I first searched using natural language which I found to be the acronym ADHD. Some people do not know what each letter in ADHD stands for they just associate it with not paying attention. 

Using Natural language I received 5 results. 

The titles of the first two include the acronym ADHD, the others did not include it in the title but it is referenced within the post. 

Controlled 

Before I began my search using controlled language I looked up my search topic in Controlled Vocabulary Thesaurus' to get an idea of what terms to use. I searched the Library of Congress Subject Headings, the ERIC Thesaurus, U.S. National Library of Medicine Subject Headings (MeSH).

(LC Subject Heading)

(ERIC Thesaurus)

(MeSH)

After searching through controlled languages I began my search. I started with Attention Deficit Disorder since that showed up on all three Subject heading searches. I received the same 5 Results. 

I also tried Hyperkinetic Disorder and hyperkinesis but retrieved no results. From this I can tell that SPIN doesn't use controlled terminology but instead they go off of that the Grants are labeled as and what is mentioned in the proposals. 

The best result was the third result. 

This result was a funding opportunity for developing and testing the effectiveness of "post acute phase therapeutic and services interventions" for management of mental health disorders such as anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, psychotic disorders etc. There has been little to no study in this area in order to improve long term success in managing these disorders. 

Searching SPIN was simply and successful. I tried a couple different search topic languages and received the same results with most of them, but when I used terms that were too medical based I didn't retrieve any results. Of the results I did receive all pertained to the topic of ADHD which was nice because I didn't have to dig for what I wanted. SPIN gave me low recall and high precision which is ideal when searching a specific topic.