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Search Techniques

Subject Heading Searching

Choosing subject headings

Determine whether the resource you are using makes its list of subject headings available to users. There may be a published version in book form, or it may be available for browsing or searching online. A librarian can help you determine what subject heading list is used by a particular resource, whether that list is made available to users, and how you may consult it.

Use the subject heading list to determine one or more subject headings appropriate to your topic. The subject heading list may provide suggestions of broader, narrower, or related subject headings that you can use.

An easy way to identify useful subject headings is to search for a specific item you know to be relevant, and examine the record for that item in the database to see what subject headings were selected for it. You can then search for additional materials using the same subject headings. For example, if you have a specific book in mind, look it up in the library catalog by author or title. Then, look at the subjects listed on the record for that book, and try new searches using the same subject headings.

If you need help searching with a controlled vocabulary, consult a librarian.


Try It: Connect to PsychInfo.

Do a keyword search on split personality. Note that the Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms uses another term instead. Choose an article, scroll down to the subject headings to find the correct term.



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