This document discusses how to use Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms to search the biomedical literature more effectively. It explains that MeSH searches retrieve articles based on subjects rather than keywords. Using MeSH terms and subheadings can focus a search and reduce irrelevant results. The document provides an example comparing a keyword search for "aphthous ulcer drug treatment" that retrieves over 1000 citations to a more precise MeSH search using terms and subheadings that retrieves only 504 focused citations. It recommends considering a MeSH search when keyword searches are too broad or off-target, and explains when MeSH may not be helpful, such as for new topics.

1. Scientific Research Skills Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3

2. Lessons Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 1- Essentials 2- Searching 3- Using MeSH 4- Working with Results 5- Referencing

3. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH

4. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH Basically , when we search , we use keywords MeSH terms or /and

7. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH Example Searching for the keyword "aids"retrieves articles on : AIDS virus, as well as articles on hearing aids, audiovisual aids, clinical aids, teaching aids etc. Using the MeSH term for AIDS:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome [MeSH] will limit your retrieval to the relevant subject

8. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH When MeSH Helps and When it Doesn't ?

9. Selecting medical subject headings (MeSH)for a search Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH can provide much needed focus and precision...

10. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH Consider doing a MeSH Search Your keyword search results in a retrieval that is off-target F

11. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH Use MeSHsubheadingsto quickly focus your search on a specific aspect of a topic. For example: "Etiology of aphthous ulcer ", "Genetics of amelogenesis imperfecta" Tip: When your topic contains the word "of" consider selecting MeSH and MeSH subheadings for your search

12. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH Also Consider doing a MeSH Search If: Your keyword search results in a retrieval that is Too large

13. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH In the MeSH database you can also restrict your search tomajor topic headings only. This feature allows you to retrieve articles where your topic is one of themajor points discussed, rather than a secondary focus.

14. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH MeSH will probably NOT help you if you search A new or emerging medical concept A recently published articles

15. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH Scenario You need to find articles on drug treatments for aphthous ulcer !

17. In the query box, type aphthous ulcer AND drug treatment

19. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani STEPS

20. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani Locate and Select MeSH Terms From the MeSH database 3 2 1

21. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani Locate and Select MeSH Terms From the MeSH database 6 4 5

22. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani Locate and Select MeSH Terms From the MeSH database 7- click search Pub Med

23. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH WHY Subheading ( STEP 4) Attaching subheadings to a MeSH term allows you to focus on a specific aspect of your topic. In this example, we retrieved citations about drug therapy of aphthous ulcer . We did NOT retrieve citations where " aphthous ulcer " and "drug therapy" are both mentioned as separate concepts

24. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH WHY Restrict Search to Major Topic Headings Only( STEP 5) So that your articles will have drug therapy of aphthous ulcer as a major focus

25. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani SO, 504 focused citations in your results down from about 1008 retrieved at the beginning of this example

26. Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3- Using MeSH Using MeSH terms and subheadings, and restricting your topic to major headings greatly increases your chances of locating relevant results

28. Consider selecting MeSH terms if your search results are off topic or too large

29. A MeSH search usually results in a smaller retrieval than a keyword search. Selecting MeSH terms limits your search to the MeSH field

31. MeSH will not usually help you if you need to research a new or rare topic or the most recent articles on a topic

33. Thank you End of the lesson Scientific Research Skills - D.ALQahtani 3