Page 138 - DLIS405_INFORMATION_STORAGE_AND_RETRIEVAL

Unit 13: Subject Headings

The subject search provided higher specificity than the text-word search (66% and 47%, respectively) Notes
but lower sensitivity (78% for the subject search versus 88% for the text-word search). Each search
strategy gave some unique relevant hits. The paper concludes that the two search strategies
complemented each other and should be used together for maximal retrieval. No combination of
MeSH terms could provide comprehensive yet reasonably precise retrieval of relevant articles. The
text-word searching had sensitivity and specificity comparable to the subject search. In addition,
use of text words “normal..... healthy,” and “control” in the title or abstract fields to limit the final
sets provided an efficient way to increase the specificity of both search strategies.

Explain the term Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).

The MeSH Tree Structure

The MeSH vocabulary is organized by 16 main branches, including those listed below:
Anatomy
Organisms
Diseases
Chemical and Drugs
Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment
Psychiatry and Psychology
Biological Sciences
Natural Sciences

MeSH facts at a glance
1874 - John Shaw Billings produces the Index Catalogue of the Library of the Surgeon-General.
1879 - Index Medicus is published as a monthly comprehensive index of medical journal
articles.
1927 - Index Medicus is merged with the American Medical Association’s competing
bibliography and renamed Quarterly Cummulative Index Medicus.
1951 - Colonel Frank Rogers produces Current List of Medical Literature, a standardized
list of subject headings.
1960 - Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (MEDLARS) is developed, as part
of this effort a MeSH database is also developed with a new and thoroughly revised
list of subject headings.
1963 - MeSH database is updated with “Tree Structure”.

MeSH - Maintenance
• Medical Subject Headings staff continually revise and update the MeSH vocabulary.
• Staff collects new terms as they appear in the scientific literature or in emerging areas of research
• Staff defines terms within the context of existing vocabulary; and recommend their addition to
MeSH.
• Consultants also advise and offer recommendations.

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