A "Controlled vocabulary" or "thesaurus" feature in search interfaces allow that the same, identical term is added every time the search indexer encounters a particular subject.
While authors may use different words to describe a concept (e.g., heart attack OR myocardial infarction), the indexer will always add the term "myocardial infarction."
This promotes the organization of an index and a user's ability to find literature.
Different indexes/databases use different vocabularies. Sometimes trial and error
Why use controlled vocabulary terms when searching?
Exercise more control over the search.
Retrieve more relevant results.
Save time and energy!
What is MeSH?
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) are consistent, controlled vocabulary terms used by the National Library of Medicine (including PubMed!) to describe concepts in the medical field.
MeSH headings are arranged in a hierarchy/tree structure starting at the topic with the broadest categories and working its way down the list through narrower topics.
The hierarchies are automatically "exploded" in PubMed
i.e. when you select a MeSH term, that term and ALL narrower (more specific) terms are also selected at the same time.
CINAHL Subject Headings?
CINAHL nursing database has its own hierarchical controlled vocabulary that's very similar to MeSH.
CINAHL headings have more specific terms related to nursing concepts.
CINAHL headings can be found in the top left corner of CINAHL, above the search fields.
CINAHL headings search ONLY the Subject Heading selected (they aren't automatically exploded like MeSH.
To explode CINAHL headings, manually select the EXPLODE option.
