Subject headings are index terms that are found in bibliographic records that describe what the resource is about. Subject headings come from controlled vocabularies, so that users can find resources by official subject classifications.
The chart below demonstrates how different databases may have different subject heading lists, and how sometimes certain databases have more subject headings available for a concept. This is important for understanding how to translate a search for certain literature review methodologies, like in systematic or scoping reviews.
| anti-vaping campaigns | e-cigarettes | high school students | |
| MeSH |
Smoking Prevention Smoking Cessation |
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Vaping |
Adolescent Students Minors |
| Emtree |
Smoking Prevention Smoking Cessation |
Electronic Cigarette Vaping |
High School Student Adolescent Adolescence Minor (person) |
| CINAHL |
Smoking Cessation Programs Smoking Cessation |
Electronic Cigarettes Vaping |
Students, High School Adolescence |
Subject headings describe the content of each item in a database. Use these headings to find relevant items on the same topic. Searching by subject headings (e.g. MeSH, Emtree, CINHAL Subject Headings, etc.) is the most precise way to search article databases.
Keyword searching is how you typically search web search engines. Think of important words or phrases and type them in to get results.
Here are some key points about each type of search:
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Keywords |
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Subject Headings |
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