Searching EMBASE with Keywords

You’ve just searched EMBASE using EMTREE headings (EMBASE’s indexing terms).  Unfortunately, EMBASE indexing is not perfect.

EMBASE indexing process:

  • EMBASE records are initially computer-indexed.
    • EMBASE indexing is essentially instant, and there is no section of EMBASE that lacks EMTREE headings
  • The computer ‘indexer’ assigns headings, but doesn’t assign subheadings or routes
  • Records for full journal articles are eventually re-indexed by a human indexer who adds regular subheadings and route subheadings.
    • Some records, like records for conference abstracts never receive attention from a human indexer and, thus, never have subheadings.
  • Cindy’s impression after a lot of EMBASE searching:  EMBASE’s computer and human indexers are good at recognizing drug names, but not as good at recognizing administration routes or other concepts.

 

Implications:

  • Try EMTREE searches first
  • If you need a more thorough search, add keywords to your EMTREE search  or run a separate keyword search.  Especially if:
    • your EMTREE search includes regular drug or disease subheadings or drug route subheadings.
    • your EMTREE search contains non-drug concepts.

License

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PubMed and EMBASE Review for IPPE Copyright © 2020 by Cynthia M. Schmidt is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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