Databases have unique sets of controlled vocabularies, or subject headings, to help narrow a topic and target results. Combine several subjects together, or try a subject and keyword search. Below are examples of two types of subject searches.

Psychology databases use a psychology thesaurus with controlled vocabularies relevant to the discipline.

To search for terms in the APA thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms, in Advanced search, click Search. Key in your term, then browse the list and make a selection by checking the box in front of the term. Click Add to search.

Subject Search:
Use Advanced search, click Subjects, enter a subject, and do a subject search.
Check the box in front of the subject and click Add to search (as shown above) to move the subject into the search box.

To view subject details--such as scope, broader, narrower, or related terms--click the subject's text link (as shown below).

The steps to browse CINAHL Subject Headings and MEDLINE MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) are similar, but the headings may vary with each database due to the database contents and scope.

In CINAHL Advanced search:

• Click on CINAHL Headings.
• Key in your term.
  Select a display option: Relevance ranked or Term begins with, then search.
• From the list of term results:
  Check the box in front of the term to view subheadings. Mark the term or subheadfings you want to search, then click Add to search.
  
  The example below shows a CINAHL Headings search for the term asthma. The box in front of the term is marked to show the subheadings.
  
  
• To view a description, the scope, related headings, and the tree structure, click the term link.
  
  

In MEDLINE Advanced search:

• Click MEDLINE--MeSH 2025.
• Key in your term.
• Select a result display option: Relevancy ranked or Term begins with.
• Then, from the list of term results:
  --Check the box in front of the term to view a list of subheadings or
  --Click the linked term to view a definition, the scope, related subjects, and the tree structure.

More directions for browsing:

Browsing CINAHL/MeSH Headings