Searching the literature using medical subject headings versus text word with PubMed
Angela A Chang, Karen M Heskett, Terence M Davidson, Angela A Chang, Karen M Heskett, Terence M Davidson
Abstract
Objective/hypothesis: This study was conducted to investigate the performance of two search strategies in the retrieval of information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) on otolaryngology-head and neck surgery related conditions and diagnoses using PubMed.
Methods: Two search strategies-one based on the use of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and the second based on text word searching-were compared.
Results: The MeSH search provided a more efficient search than the text word search.
Conclusions: Head and neck surgeons can most efficiently search the NLM using PubMed as a search engine by initiating the search with MeSH terms. Once a key article is identified, the searcher should use the "Related Articles" feature.
Source: PubMed