Need research assistance? One-on-one help is available via the Library’s Virtual Reference Room in Blackboard or 
phone (325-486-6534) during the following hours:
email or by posting on the Ask a Librarian Discussion Board in Blackboard. Evidence Based Nursing Practice: Seven Steps to the Perfect PICO Search
To explore a step-by-step guide to formulating an optimal PICO search, download this free white paper.
CINAHL & MEDLINE Databases - Advanced Searching Tutorial
Both CINAHL and MEDLINE use the same search technique for PICO searching.
This quick tutorial (using CINAHL) shows you how use the "Search History" tool to combine the different elements of your PICO search.
MeSH is an acronym for Medical Subject Headings that provides a controlled vocabulary which helps researchers in the search process. Information is organized in a hierarchical manner called the MeSH Tree Structures which contain headings and subheadings or qualifiers.
Learn about MeSH in this tutorial created by the National Library of Medicine.
MeSH headings are organized in a tree structure with 16 main branches. Each of these branches has many sub-branches.
Learn more about MeSH Tree Structures in this tutorial created by the National Library of Medicine.
The image below shows an example of a MeSH Tree Structure with a branch shown as the Broader Term and its many sub-branches including a potential Search Term and a Narrower Term.
Need research assistance? One-on-one help is available via the Library’s Virtual Reference Room in Blackboard or phone (325-486-6534) during the following hours:
email or by posting on the Ask a Librarian Discussion Board in Blackboard. 