The Concept Dictionary is the central component of MCHP’s knowledge repository. It operationally defines key measures and terms used by health researchers, detailing  the development of new variables or the creation of variables based on existing data.⁶  Over 200 concepts have been documented, indexed, and linked.  

Documentation provided within the Concept Dictionary not only allows for facilitated future retrieval and use, but also helps to improve research continuity and standardization. Such documentation enhances collaboration among researchers within a single group and across centres using similar or identical technology.⁸

A meta-index provides alternative access to the concepts by organizing them according to the Medical Sub-Heading (MeSH) system of the National Library of Medicine.