Database Search Tips: Keywords vs. Subjects

Keyword Searching:

Using keywords is how people typically search web search engines like Google or Yahoo. We think of important words, phrases, or complete questions and type them into a search box to get millions of results. The words we use are considered natural language, meaning that when we say kids others understand that we mean children. When searching databases, use keywords that are descriptive and significant and type them into the search box. The database will look for all the records with those words in it.

Subject Headings:

Libraries use subject headings (subjects) to describe the content of each item--book, article, image, document--in a database. Use these subject headings to find relevant items on the same topic. Searching by subject headings (a.k.a. descriptors) is the most precise way to search article databases. The terms used as subject headings are called controlled vocabularies. These terms are chosen by library professionals to identify a standard set of terms or tags that are used for a subject. Once you know the correct subject heading of a topic, you will be able to locate sources more easier and faster.

It is not easy to guess which subject headings are used in a given database. For example, the phone book's Yellow Pages use subject headings. If you look for "Movie Theatres" you will find nothing, as they are listed under the subject heading "Theatres - Movies."  Using keywords will help you discover the actual subject heading.

Here are some key points about each type of search:

To find subject headings for your topic:

• Look to see if the database has an online thesaurus to browse for subjects that match your topic (check the Help screens).

• Some databases publish thesauri in print (e.g. Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms for the PsycInfo database).

Another way to find subject headings:

• Start with a keyword search, using words/phrases that describe your topic.

• Browse the results; choose 2 or 3 that are relevant.

• Look at the Subject or Descriptor field and note the terms used (write them down).

• Redo your search using those terms.

• Your results will be more precise than your initial keyword search.

• Keyword Search