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How do I....identify keywords or subjects headings?
Keyword searching means the database searches many fields in a record for any words or phrase you typed. For keyword searching, think about synonyms, plurals, and various conjugations and learn how to truncate to look for root words with multiple suffixes. Keywords can be useful for searching hot new fields. Keyword searches can retrieve results that are not relevant. Use the information resources under Background Information.
Subject headings or descriptors come from a thesaurus or a standardized list of vocabulary used specifically in a database. Each record is assigned specific descriptors in order to pull together related articles or books. Use subject heading searches to find everything relevant on your topic. Databases can use different terms for the same concept. For example, PubMed uses MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), and the MeSH for cancer is neoplasms.
Some hints:
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Match your main ideas or keywords to the subject headings or descriptors the database uses. Start with keyword searching, look at your results, and search again using subject headings or descriptors on the relevant records.
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Use truncation to pick up plurals and related words. Truncation symbols vary with each database.
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Use correct spelling and be aware of British spelling (e.g., behaviour and behavior).
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Use limits to restrict the search by publication year, type of document or other specific fields.
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