About
Subject headings, descriptors and thesauri terms are examples of "controlled vocabularies." They are lists of pre-defined, carefully selected words and phrases used to classify and organize information, and vary with discipline and database. Controlled vocabulary describes the general content of an information unit, such as a book, an article, or an essay.
Use controlled vocabulary to browse related, broader and narrow topics of interest; in a search to get subject specific, targeted results; and to narrow search results or combine its use with keyword searching for more focused results.
Steps to Search & Browse MeSH & CINAHL Headings
- CINAHL Ultimate This link opens in a new window
- Click on CINAHL Headings.
- Key in your term.
- Select a search option --Term Begins With, Term Contains, or Relevancy Ranked. Click Browse.
- 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 for the "tree structure" View
- MEDLINE with Full Text (EBSCOhost) This link opens in a new window
- Click MeSH 2024 in the top menu bar.
- Key in your term.
- Select a search option--Term Begins With, Term Contains, or Relevancy Ranked. Click Browse.
- 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 for the "tree structure" view 
