| Definition of Subject Headings |
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| Subject headings are a type of
controlled vocabulary that is
used
to take the guesswork out of searching by using a single term to
describe a subject. For example, the American Revolutionary War can be described using the following terms: American
Revolution
American Revolutionary War Revolution, American Revolutionary War, American War of the American Revolution American War of Independence War of American Independence War of Independence By using a controlled vocabulary, all materials about the American Revolutionary War are listed under one heading: United States
-- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
Having a controlled vocabulary helps create "see also" references : American
Revolution -- See
-- United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783
It also creates consistent subdivisions:United States
-- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Battlefields
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Battlefields World War, 1914-1918 -- Battlefields Using a standardized controlled vocabulary allows searches to be done quickly and with more accuracy. Also, since most library's use the same controlled vocabulary in their catalogs, only one vocabulary style needs to be learned. Controlled vocabularies are are used outside of the library, with a common example being the yellow pages in a phone book. For example: See also reference: Lawyers -- see
Attorneys
Subject heading: Attorneys
Subdivision: Attorneys --
Personal Injury & Wrong Death
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