Module 2: Refining Your Search - Beyond Automatic Term Mapping

How Do I See and Document What PubMed Is Searching?

Summary of Steps


Follow these steps to see and document exactly what PubMed is searching:

  1. Search PubMed with your terms.
  2. Click Advanced under the PubMed search bar.
  3. Scroll down to the Search History and Details box.
  4. Click the chevron (˃) under Details beside your Search.
  5. To document your searches and result numbers, use the Download feature.
  6. View the Translations section to see if your terms mapped to any MeSH Terms.
  7. Search the MeSH Database for each of those MeSH Terms.
  8. Locate the term in the MeSH Hierarchy and note any narrower terms.
  9. To document your MeSH explosions, copy all of the narrower terms from each branch listed.

Additional Training

For more information on MeSH terms, view the PubMed Quick Tour – Subject Search: How it Works.


Exercises

Search bug bite in PubMed. Use the Advanced Search page and the MeSH Database to answer the following questions:

  1. Which MeSH term does bug bite map to?


  1. Locate Bites and Stings in the MeSH Database. How many places is it included in the hierarchy?


  1. Which of the following is a narrower term for Bites and Stings?


  1. How many total narrower terms will be included in your search for Bites and Stings?

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