Searching CINAHL with Subject Headings
Step 1: Defining Concepts
Step 2: Finding CINAHL Headings
Step 3: CINAHL Heading Options
Step 4: Adding the Heading to the Search
Step 5: Adding More Concepts to the Search
Step 6: Combining Search Terms
Step 7: Refining Results with Limits (Optional)
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To increase the likelihood of retrieving relevant results, it is recommended that you search CINAHL using its controlled vocabulary or subject headings called CINAHL Headings. These subject headings are assigned to each record to describe the content of the article. CINAHL Headings are arranged in a hierarchy, to allow you to search using the most general to more narrow terms. By searching with CINAHL Headings, you are taking the guess work out of term selection.
Note: NU386 students must first apply filters to their search before following the steps below.
Step 1: Defining Concepts
Example: JD is a 55 year old male who is recovering from a spinal injury. He is currently immobilized and will be for several months. You have been asked to locate information on positioning an immobilized patient to prevent pressure ulcers.
What terms or phrases should you use to search?
- positioning
- prevention of pressure ulcers
Note: When choosing concepts, try to eliminate those which could be considered implied through the use of another concept. For instance, immobilized could be implied within the pressure ulcer concept because pressure ulcers often occur due to immobilization. Also, adding spinal injury to our search would eliminate possibly helpful articles that cover other immobile conditions.
Step 2: Finding CINAHL Headings
To search and browse CINAHL’s controlled vocabulary, click on the CINAHL Headings link in the green menu bar at the top of the page.
Enter the first concept, positioning, in the "Browse for" box and click the Browse button.
CINAHL headings that match the word or word phrase that you entered will be listed. Click directly on an acceptable heading to view its details and options.
Step 3: CINAHL Heading Options
The primary sections in this detailed view include the Tree View, On Search options, and Qualifying Subheadings.
Tree Views
This view shows where the CINAHL Heading is located in the hierarchy, which moves from broad to narrow concepts. In this example, notice that Patient Positioning is in bold and has a plus (+) symbol next to it. This symbol indicates that the CINAHL Heading has even narrower concepts beneath it. Sometimes, you can find better Headings by scanning through the Tree.
On Search:
- Explode - this option allows you to include, in your search, any narrower Headings that fall below the primary CINAHL Heading. Exploding a Heading will broaden your search. By checking the box next to Explode, CINAHL will search for all the records indexed for Patient Positioning, as well as the Headings indented beneath it. When a heading is exploded, all of the terms will be searched together using ‘OR’. If you can explode, do so. If you get too many results, you can always change it later.
- Major Concept - several Headings are assigned to each article. Some are designated as Major if the main thrust of the article has to do with that Heading. By checking the box next to Major Concept, you will limit your results to only the records where Patient Positioning is the major focus of the article. This option can severely limit your results. It is recommended that this option not be used unless you have already searched and received a large number of results.
Subheadings
Subheadings are sometimes added to a CINAHL Heading to qualify or focus the intended use of the Heading. You may select one or more subheadings to further refine your search results. Adding these subheadings will reduce the number of records you retrieve. Avoid excessive use of subheadings, as some articles may contain information on multiple areas covered in the subheadings. These articles are considered general; hence subheadings would not be used.
Returning to our example, we want to Explode the CINAHL Heading Patient Positioning, but not apply the Major Concept or Subheading options at this point.
Step 4: Adding the Heading to the Search
Once options have been reviewed and chosen by clicking the box next to the selection, the heading selection will remain in memory while you choose the next heading to add to the search.
Step 5: Running the Search
Once all concepts are chosen, use the "Combine selections with:" box to specify how you want your search to be considered, then click 
Note how the search box is now populated with all the terms you have selected and the search has been run, producing a list of results.
Step 7: Refining Results with Limits (Optional)
The Limit feature allows you to refine your results in a variety of ways. Limits may be applied using the "Advanced Search" option before or after a search has been run. Always be cautious when applying limits, as you may inadvertently block out relevant results.
A variety of limit options are available. The most used limits are:
- Published Date
- Language
- Peer Reviewed
- Research Article
- Journal Subset (can limit to Nursing publications only)
Note: When beginning a new search, you must undo all limits.
