Research Guides: Nursing Resources: Search Tips

Database Search Tips

Tips To Improve Your Search	Examples and Considerations
Keyword Search Keywords are any significant word or phrase you think of to describe your topic. Google-like searching where the database finds results based on the terms you enter in search box. Broadens search but also likely to retrieve some irrelevant results.
Subject Heading search A targeted, specific way to search using a database's built-in standardized tags. Controlled vocabulary subject headings function like a thesaurus and will take into consideration synonyms, abbreviations, and variations in spelling. Typically retrieves fewer results than keyword searching, yet results are usually more relevant.	Where to Find Subject Headings: CINAHL Subject Headings (in the blue bar at the top of the CINAHL main page) PubMed MeSH Headings (on main page, under Explore, click on MeSH Database)
Broaden your search Use ORs within parentheses to combine synonyms or similar terms. Retrieves records containing ANY of the listed terms. Use * to Truncate roots of important words to find plurals and other word endings.	(woman OR girl OR female) nurs* will find nurse, nurses, nursing
Narrow your search Use AND to combine concepts. Requires ALL terms to appear in a record. Use "double quotes" to find exact phrases. Use Filters to limit your search to the most appropriate articles.	dementia AND falls "fall risk assessment" Common Filter options: - English language - Publication Types - Publication Dates

Tips To Improve Your Search

Examples and Considerations

Keyword Search

Keywords are any significant word or phrase you think of to describe your topic.

Google-like searching where the database finds results based on the terms you enter in search box.

Broadens search but also likely to retrieve some irrelevant results.

Subject Heading search

A targeted, specific way to search using a database's built-in standardized tags.

Controlled vocabulary subject headings function like a thesaurus and will take into consideration synonyms, abbreviations, and variations in spelling.

Typically retrieves fewer results than keyword searching, yet results are usually more relevant.

Where to Find Subject Headings:

CINAHL Subject Headings (in the blue bar at the top of the CINAHL main page)

PubMed MeSH Headings (on main page, under Explore, click on MeSH Database)

Broaden your search

Use ORs within parentheses to combine synonyms or similar terms. Retrieves records containing ANY of the listed terms.

Use * to Truncate roots of important words to find plurals and other word endings.

(woman OR girl OR female)

nurs* will find nurse, nurses, nursing

Narrow your search

Use AND to combine concepts. Requires ALL terms to appear in a record.

Use "double quotes" to find exact phrases.

Use Filters to limit your search to the most appropriate articles.

dementia AND falls

"fall risk assessment"

Common Filter options:

- English language

- Publication Types

- Publication Dates