Searching biomedical databases on complementary medicine: the use of controlled vocabulary among authors, indexers and investigators.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The optimal retrieval of a literature search in biomedicine depends on the appropriate use of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), descriptors and keywords among authors and indexers. We hypothesized that authors, investigators and indexers in four biomedical databases are not consistent in their use of terminology in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).

Methods

Based on a research question addressing the validity of spinal palpation for the diagnosis of neuromuscular dysfunction, we developed four search concepts with their respective controlled vocabulary and key terms. We calculated the frequency of MeSH, descriptors, and keywords used by authors in titles and abstracts in comparison to standard practices in semantic and analytic indexing in MEDLINE, MANTI

SUBMITTER: Murphy LS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC166167 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature