OTD 7345: CapStone Fall 2025: MeSH Terms

1. The MeSH Database is its own search. You can locate it under the Explore icon.

2. This will redirect you to the MeSH database, where you can locate your MeSH terms. Type your term into the Search box and hit the search icon. Results will default to returning Subject headings by best match. You might have to scroll through to find the one that best fits what you're searching for.

3. Results will default to returning Subject headings by best match. You might have to scroll through to find the one that best fits what you're searching for. Once you found a MeSH term that best fits your keyword/topic, click on it. 

4. Once you have identified the MeSH term that best fits your keywords/topic, you will want to pay attention to a few features in MeSH Database.

• Entry Definition - Each MeSH entry will have a quick definition and the year the term was introduced.
• Entry Terms - The entry terms show you a quick overview of additional keywords. These are worth taking a look at because you might find additional synonyms that you can use for your search strategy.
• MeSH Hierarchy - MeSH is organized in a hierarchy. Each entry will show you where this MeSH term falls in the hierarchy.
  • Note: You will want to pay attention to this because sometimes the terms indexed below the MeSH term you searched on might not be appropriate for your search. Other times you might find that the MeSH term above the term you searched on might be a better fit. 
• Additional Searching Options - These two options help restrict how you search on a MeSH term
  • Major Topic will retrieve references that have this subject heading as their main topic. This will find fewer results, but with higher relevance.
  • Not including MeSH terms found below this term will help you search on just that subject heading without blowing up the search the include subject headings below that might not be appropriate

5. If you will be adding more than one MeSH term, click "Add to search builder". This will display your selected MeSH in the PubMed Search Builder. Here you can continue to add MeSH terms using the Boolean Operator of your choice. In the example above, the MeSH term for physical therapy was previously added. This is now demonstrating how to add a secondary MeSH term for standards and trends utilizing the subheadings.

6. Your screen will now show search results based on the search string developed. Use the filters on the left-hand margin to narrow your results further. Each time a filter is added a green box at the top of the results list will appear indicating the filters used.  Once you have a manageable list you can begin your deep dive.  Congrats! You did it!