Author: George Burchell

Welcome aboard the research vessel of knowledge! Navigating the vast ocean of literature can be daunting, but efficient search strategies are essential for academic and professional success. Let’s dive in and explore how thesaurus terms can help you sail smoothly through your literature searches, making your journey not only faster but also more fruitful.Before we begin, it is often quite confusing as the term "thesaurus term" is also referred to as "controlled vocabulary" or "subject heading" or "indexed terms" depending on the database you are consulting. We will use these interchangeably in this article so you get used to seeing it but they perform the exact same function. Table of Contents Understanding Thesaurus Terms in Literature Search Databases What Are Thesaurus Terms? Think of thesaurus terms as concrete paths in your search journey. Databases lay these paths for easier navigation: when authors use different subject terms for the same concept, thesaurus terms help to standardize these variations.For example, all terms relating to cancer are grouped under the term "neoplasms" in PubMed. This means that article that uses the term cancer or tumor or tumour or neoplasm or malignancy will all be directed to the term "neoplasm". These are particularly important when conducting a literature search for a literature review. Importance of Thesaurus Terms a.k.a Subject Headings / Indexed Terms Indexed terms provide consistent labels for similar concepts, much like naming each star in the night sky for better navigation. This standardization helps researchers overcome variations in language and improves the precision of searches.By using them, you can fine-tune your searches, ensuring you reel in the most relevant articles without being swamped by irrelevant ones. How Thesauri Keywords Enhance Literature Search Strategies Discipline-Specific Vocabulary Different fields have their own lingo, and thesauri are customized to reflect this. For example, the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) in PubMed provide detailed and relevant terms for healthcare topics, ensuring your search net is cast wide yet precise.Using terms specific to your discipline ensures that you’re speaking the language of the field, much like a sailor using nautical terms for navigation. Time-Saving and Comprehensive Searching Thesaurus terms save you time by eliminating the need to brainstorm all possible synonyms and alternative search terms. Instead, you can rely on predefined terms to capture relevant articles, making your search as efficient as a well-oiled engine.Using predefined terms ensures that your search covers all bases, capturing comprehensive results without missing out on key information. Hierarchical Structure of Thesauri Terms Organization of Thesauri by Research Topic Thesauri are organized hierarchically, showing broader, narrower, and related terms. This hierarchy is like a treasure map, guiding you through the interconnected concepts. Example For instance, in a medical database, "Heart Diseases" might be a broader term, with "Coronary Artery Disease" as a narrower term. Understanding these relationships helps you refine your search for more precise results. Enhancing Search Precision by Covering Spelling and Concept Variations The hierarchical structure allows for targeted searching, helping you find exactly what you're looking for with your queries. For instance, if you're researching the effects of a specific medication or disease, the thesaurus will direct you to not only the main term, but also its related concepts and variations. For example, the thesaurus term (known as MeSH terms in PubMed) "Depressive Disorder" has the following terms related to it that are highly related to depression but may not use the term depression: e.g. Dysthymic Disorder, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and Seasonal Affective Disorder. Search Tips: Combining Controlled Vocabulary Terms with Free Text Keywords Integrated Approach For a comprehensive, advanced search, combine controlled vocabulary terms with keyword searches. This dual approach ensures you capture both indexed articles and emerging concepts, like casting a net and a line simultaneously. Practical Tips Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine your searches. Think of them as the knots in your net, helping you control what gets caught.Use truncation to broaden your search results, catching variations of a term. For example, searching for "educat*" will retrieve "education," "educator," and "educational." Database-Specific Terms e.g. MeSH terms in Medline Database Variations Each database may have its unique set of terms. For instance, what’s called a "subject heading" in one database might be a "descriptor" or "index term" in another. This can sometimes be very confusing. Click to learn how to design a search strategy Examples MEDLINE/PubMed call theirs "MeSH terms" and can be queried in the MeSH database. Embase call theirs "emtree terms" while CINAHL and PsycINFO use "thesaurus of psychological index terms". Exploding and Focusing Terms Exploding Terms Many databases allow you to "explode" a term, including all its narrower terms in your search. This method is like using a wide-angle lens, capturing the full picture. Focusing Terms Alternatively, you can "focus" on a term to retrieve only articles where it’s a major topic, akin to using a zoom lens for detailed exploration. Identifying Subject Specific Terminology Examining Subject Headings Check the subject headings of articles you’ve found useful. These headings can guide you like a lighthouse in a storm, pointing towards relevant thesaurus terms. Database Suggestions Utilize related terms and browsable thesauri in databases. They often suggest relevant terms, saving you from aimlessly drifting through endless possibilities. Evolving Terminology Updates Thesauri are regularly updated to reflect changes in disciplines. Like a ship’s logbook, they record new and emerging issues, ensuring your searches stay current. Example For example, terms related to "Zika virus" or "SARS-CoV-2" have been added as these topics have gained importance. Practical Applications of Thesaurus Terms Database Use Thesaurus Terms to Increase Precision Here’s a simple guide to using a thesaurus in databases:Start by identifying your main topic.Use the database’s thesaurus to find the controlled vocabulary terms related to your topic.Combine these thesaurus terms with keyword searches for comprehensive results. Example For instance, in PubMed, you might use the MeSH term "Diabetes Mellitus" combined with keywords like "treatment" or "management." Conclusion In summary, using thesaurus terms can significantly enhance your literature search efficiency by providing standardized, precise, and comprehensive search results. Remember to combine thesaurus terms with keyword searches, use Boolean operators and truncation for better results, and leverage database-specific thesaurus features.Consider joining our course "Complete Guide to Database Searching for Systematic Reviews". ENROLL NOW

Author: George Burchell

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