Exercise Science Evidence-Based Practice

Most of these keyword tricks will work in any of our databases (particularly useful in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials). They also work in Discovery, as well as in Google and most other search engines.

Put phrases in quotations marks to search for the phrase exactly as you've typed it:

      "type 1 diabetes"

      Also helpful for unusual spellings that may get autocorrected when you don't want them to!

breastfe* will look for any words that start with "breastfe"-- like breastfeeding, breastfed

"Nest" your terms:

      breastfe* AND ("diabetes-- in children" OR "diabetes-- in youth")

      This will search for results about breastfeeding that have to do with diabetes in either children or young people. This is called "Boolean logic" and may remind you of algebra class!

To use the MeSH vocabulary (Medical Subject Headings) in MEDLINE:

Make sure you're searching only in MEDLINE.

Click the "Advanced Search" link under the search box.

Look for and click on the "MEDLINE -- MeSH 20xx" link. 

Enter your first term in the "Search for terms in MEDLINE" bar and hit "Enter."

Check the box to the left of the term you wish to use or explore (you will generally want to UNCHECK the "Explode" check box after you do so; otherwise, the search tends to get unfocused and messy). 

If you're adding more terms, search for and add them in the same way. 

When you've selected all of the subject headings you need, check either the "AND" or "OR" button beneath your selected search terms. Then click the blue "Search" button. If the initial search doesn't do what you wanted it to, you can edit the text in the search bar if you need to add parentheses, change an "AND" or an "OR," etc.