STEP 4: Incorporate a Subject Heading (MeSH Term or CINAHL Heading) within Your Search
Using the same database, incorporate your CINAHL Heading/MeSH Term along with the keywords
and phrases you’ve been using. You may also want to change your limiters depending on the
number of results. A simple way to do this is to click on the selected Subjects: term so the database
can incorporate the subject into the search box. Then type in the remainder of your keywords,
phrases, synonyms, etc.
A.List your MeSH Term/CINAHL Heading with other keywords, synonyms, and phrases used in
this refined search.
(MM___)
AND OR ____ OR __ OR __
AND____OR____ OR __ OR __
AND____OR ____ OR __OR __
B. What limiters did you use in this search?
__ , __ , __
C. Now how many results did you get? ____ Still too few results? Or too many?
STEP 5: Refine Your Search Again
Using the same database, refine your search again. If you’ve had too many results, try narrowing
your population or setting. If you’ve had too few results, expand your population or setting or add
additional subject headings.
A.What keywords, synonyms, phrases and MeSH Terms/CINAHL Headings were used in this even
more refined search?
(MM___)
AND OR ____ OR __ OR __
AND____OR____ OR __ OR __
AND____OR ____ OR __OR __
B. What limiters did you use in this search?
__ , __ , __
C. How many results do you have now? ____
D.Consider the following: Are the results relevant? Current? Of good quality? Appropriate for the
assignment? Read the abstracts and then read the full text. If needed, adjust your search more.
Consider searching another database/resource to see what other evidence may be available in
a different source. Make sure to continue recording your steps.
4.4 How to Search for Evidence 121