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Author Checklist to Improve Discovery of Published Articles in the Era of Algorithmic Indexing

With the increase in automated indexing, titles and abstracts have become the main source for assigning MeSH terms to MEDLINE records [1]. However, this method presents a variety of issues that lead to inaccurate indexing; poorly written abstracts can fail to reflect the full text of the article [2] and automated indexing services still have demonstrated weaknesses [1]. Inaccurate indexing presents challenges in accurate information discovery [3]. Authors can improve the indexing of their articles by writing titles and abstracts that optimize discovery.

1. Amar-Zifkin A, Ekmekjian T, Paquet V, Landry T. Algorithmic indexing in MEDLINE frequently overlooks important concepts and may compromise literature search results. J Med Libr Assoc. 2025 Jan 14;113(1):39-48. doi: 10.5195/jmla.2025.1936. PMID: 39975491; PMCID: PMC11835047.

2. International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. Preparing a Manuscript for Submission to a Medical Journal. https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/manuscript-preparation/preparing-for-submission.html

3. Askin, N., et al. (2025). "Filtering failure: the impact of automated indexing in Medline on retrieval of human studies for knowledge synthesis." J Med Libr Assoc 113(1): 58-64.

Author Checklist for the Title, Abstract, and Keywords

TITLE

  • Reflect only the content of the manuscript (avoid cute titles) [1]

  • Indicate study design with accepted/common terminology 

  • Indicate publication type (letter, review, study)  

  • Indicate location of study when relevant 

  • Provide detail about the population (ex: heart failure inpatients, animal study) 

  • Use an appropriate reporting guideline when available 

  • Be concise, yet include as much information as possible [2]

  • Use declarative language; reserve questions for editorials/commentaries 

ABSTRACT

  • Whenever possible, use the active voice [2]

  • Do not include citations [2]

  • Use positive language; avoid negative language like “we did not look at” [3]

  • Include specific terms that you would expect your audience to use when searching [4]

  • Use Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) or MeSH entry terms and repeat them when appropriate [4]

  • Test your abstract in a free tool such as MeSH on Demand to test for appropriate and accurate MeSH term matching [4, 5]

  • Avoid non-standard abbreviations; limit the use of acronyms; when necessary, write out the full phrase at least once [6]

  • Avoid using metaphors and homonyms

KEYWORDS

  • Author supplied keywords should be aligned with controlled vocabulary (MeSH) terms [5]

  • Use keywords that are as specific as possible and are not broader than necessary 

  1. Cute titles, while fun, can be misleading and lead to incorrect indexing
  2. Imprecise language creates opportunities for inaccurate indexing and searching
  3. Negative language (Not) can lead to incorrect indexing ("not humans" = "humans" = "humans"[MeSH] and incorrect title and abstract searching; Use language like "we only looked at A," rather than "we did not look at B"
  4. Uncommon or weakly established language hinders both indexing and discoverability
  5. Using controlled vocabulary language, like MeSH terms, helps with accurate indexing
  6. Acronyms can have multiple meanings, making searching and correct indexing difficult; Stick to common acronym and avoid creating custom acronyms and initialisms