Module 2: Refining Your Search - Beyond Automatic Term Mapping

What Do I Do When My PubMed Search Isn’t Mapping to MeSH?


Search the MeSH Database


Another strategy to try if your terms aren’t mapping to MeSH is to search directly in the MeSH Database with your term or similar terms. You can only search for one term at a time in the MeSH Database.

A search for pool in the MeSH Database retrieves 34 results.

MeSH Database screenshot of search results for pool with number of results highlighted.

Results include the MeSH terms Swimming Pools and Aquatic Therapy, which could be relevant to your search.

MeSH Database screenshot of search results for pool with Swimming Pools and Aquatic Therapy highlighted