Cataloging: Using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH®) in Cataloging
Module 3—Selecting the Main Concept
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Introduction
Module 1
Subject Analysis Principles
Module 2
Introduction to Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and the MeSH Browser
Module 3
Selecting the Main Concept
Module 4
Use of Topical Subheadings in MeSH
Module 5
Geographic Headings
Module 6
Publication Types
Module 7
Names as Subjects
Module 8
Deconstructed Headings vs. Subject Strings
General Principles
- Search the concepts you have identified as the major topics in the MeSH Browser, and see if you can find the term used by MeSH for that concept
- Assign subject headings that accurately and completely describe the item, without redundancy. Use the most specific headings available, but if more than 3 needed specific terms are in the same tree, use the broader term
- In general, only assign MeSH headings for concepts that cover at least 20% of the work being cataloged. The maximum number of subjects assigned rarely exceeds 6-7 terms
- Example: In a book of 35 chapters, do not assign terms that only apply to a single chapter
- Where relevant, assign heading(s) for the appropriate disease, organ or system
- Assign terms for appropriate age groups if particularly discussed
- Distinguish between the specialty and the disease
- Cardiology is for works about the field or profession
- Heart Diseases is for works about the disease
