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Subjects and TermsSuccessful search strategies require a knowledge of subject terms.Subject Headings or CategoriesAny time you are looking for information on a particular subject, you will use tools that are arranged by subject, have indexes which include subjects, or use specific subject heading schemes (such as Library of Congress Subject Headings). Your library's catalog is organized with a subject approach. The books on the shelves of the library are classified by subject. Indexes to magazine articles, many of the reference books you use, and some Web directory (subject guide) sites are organized by specific categories. These categories are the subject headings. Working with Subject HeadingsThe best way to use these tools well is to determine what subject heading will be used for the topic of your question. However, our language is so complex that there are often many ways to describe the same topic. Each tool or Web directory site will use the terms that make the most sense for the area covered. Each source may use different terms for the same concepts. For example, some sources will use the heading "capital punishment," while others will use "death penalty." Web search engines generally do not use subject access, and searches find any site with the keywords you enter even though the site may have nothing to do with the topic. Sears and LCSHThere is some standardization, in the library online catalog and standard databases. Many libraries will have these tools available in the reference area:
The terms in these tools are used when adding item records to the catalog. For that reason, the sources are a logical place to begin when you are not sure what heading to use, or are having trouble finding a subject in your catalog. If you don't have these tools, one strategy that often works is to check the "tracings" on the bottom of a catalog record for another book on the subject. Tracings are the lists of headings used for the book. They may appear only as part of the full catalog record. Automated catalogs each work a little differently, and you will have to check to see how yours handles tracings. If You Don't Find It under One Term, Try a SynonymThere is no single, standard list of subjects used for all reference tools, and good cross referencing is rare. Many professions, industries, and disciplines have their own subject heading lists (e.g. Medical Subject Headings, MeSH). Try to think of as many different terms for the same concept as you can, and try them all. Broaden the subject if you have trouble. For example, you might find mention of a particular cowboy artist under her name, cowboy artists, cowboy art, or western art. Web SearchesFor Web searching, a narrow approach is often necessary in working with such overwhelming numbers of sites. Try using a Web subject guide site (e.g. Open Directory Project or Librarians' Index to the Internet) to get started. Know which search engines to use and how they work. Keep track of all the terms you used in your search, and pass that list on if you refer the question. Major Point: Successful search strategies require knowledge of subject terms used in library catalogs and resources and knowledge of how search engines work.
1. Use your online catalog to see how many subject headings there are for Ohio. Example: Ohio--Encyclopedias or Almanacs--Ohio. 2. Find out where all those mysterious subject headings come from. Look for Ohio subject headings in a copy of the Sears List of Subject Headings if your library is arranged by Dewey, or look for Cross Reference Index: A Subject Heading Guide published by Bowker or The Library of Congress Subject Headings. Catalogers assign the subject headings to the catalog records and understanding more about the headings will help your reference work. If you really, really want to know, talk to a cataloger!
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Social bookmarking and tagsdel.icio.us is a social bookmarking site. Connotea focuses on social bookmarking for clinicians and scientists.
A knowledge of subject headings and the ability to choose keywords is the basis of a good search strategy, in print or online.
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A quick look at a reliable source may supply the terms needed for
searching a subject unfamiliar to you. For example, scan this