JKM Library: Reused Elements in JKM LibGuides: PICO Search

	: 2024-2025 Hours

Constructing a Search with a PICO Question

Use Boolean operators to join your search terms. Here's how they work.

AND	limits results and returns all of the terms joined with AND	falls AND long term care
OR	expands results, returns either word, use with synonymous terms. best used in conjunction with an AND search	sensory processing AND teenagers OR adolescents
NOT	excludes terms from search	dolphins NOT Miami

Keyword vs. Subject Searching

While thinking of related terms and concepts is useful in searching, some databases, like CINAHL and MEDLINE, also utilize subject headings. Knowing the difference between them and when to use a keyword vs. a subject heading can have an impact on your search results.

Keywords	Subject Headings
Looks for word occurrence in multiple locations of results	Only searches the subject headings field of results
Is a broader search and will yield more results, not all of them relevant	Is more precise, and yields less, although more relevant results
You can "make up" a keyword	Subject headings are chosen from a preexisting list and cannot be altered

Reused Elements in JKM LibGuides

Constructing a Search with a PICO Question

Use Boolean operators to join your search terms. Here's how they work.

Keyword vs. Subject Searching

Keywords

Subject Headings