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.