Understanding Search Terminology
Library databases use an indexing system that assigns subject terms or descriptors for each document in the database. These descriptors are called controlled vocabulary. For the most effective search results, identify and include these subject descriptors as part of your search.
For interdisciplinary research, you will need to translate terminology you may be familiar with in one discipline into terminology used in a less well known disicipline. Think broadly about the ways that people in different fields use language:
Example #1: Native Americans
Native Americans
American Indians
Indians of North America
Indigenous People
Indian
Example #2: Animal Communication
vocalization
olfactory signal
acoustical communication
intra-pack communication
communicative cue
barking
howling
Finding more keywords to extend your search:
When beginning research on a new topic, you may not have a good idea of the best search words or keywords to use.
Start your database search with known keywords. Once you have a list of citations, look at the abstracts and titles to identify more appropriate search words.
For Example:
Search for journal articles about the effects of water depletion on plant growth in the database BIOSIS Previews. Reviewing the article title and abstract, the following keywords could be used as synonyms for “water depletion”, which will broaden the search results. |
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Using Subject Terms to Identify the Most Relevant Articles:
Subject terms describe the content of each item in a database. Look for subject terms in the full database record in the field titled “Descriptors” or “Subjects”
For Example:
Search for articles about stress and technology in college students in the PsycINFO database. From the result list there is a record for an article, "Prevalence of perceived stress, symptoms of depression and sleep disturbances in relation to information and communication technology (ICT) use among young adults--An explorative prospective study" in Computers in Human Behavior, 23(3) May 2007. Review the Subjects field in the record below:
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These subject terms can be combined in the search as:
College students and (technology or computers or Internet) and (stress or depression emotion or sleep deprivation)
Using Specialized Dictionaries and Encyclopedias to Find Relevant Information:
| Another source of discipline specific terminology is a specialized dictionary or encyclopedia. One way to find these is to access the UA Library Subject Guides Page and select a subject from the list. |  |
Select a subject by letter from the list - for example, P for Psychology |
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| Once you have selected the appropriate subject guide, choose ‘Background Information’ for a list of the specialized encyclopedias and dictionaries. |  |
| Select an encyclopedia/dictionary that is relevant to your topic. |  |
| Here's an example of a page from a psychology dictionary. If looking for terms for 'placebo effect' in the field of Psychology, you may be referred to the term 'experimenter effects'. |  |
Locating Terminology within Databases or How to Find Controlled Vocabulary:
Another method of identifying subject terms or controlled vocabulary in different databases is to pay attention to additional features within the database beside the search boxes.
Look for tabs or information at the top of the page or along the left hand side for suggested terms.
In the ABI/INFORM database, use the Topics tab at the top of the page if you are unsure about the exact phrase to use. |
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| In the Business Source Complete (EbscoHost database), a search for 'market research' retrieves citations and a list of subject terms in the left hand frame to refine your search. |  |
| Clicking on the phrase ‘consumer behavior’ in the left hand frame will bring up a list of articles that includes both phrases: 'consumer behavior' and 'market research' within the article’s title, abstract, or subject descriptors. |  |