Keyword Searching
A keyword ( or word) search retrieves words or phrases from several important fields, usually title, subject and abstract.
Keyword search: AIDS
A keyword search usually retrieves more items than a subject search, but they may not all be relevant. For example, a search on AIDS could retrieve:
• aids for the hearing impaired
• school aids
• AIDS (the disease)
A subject search involves searching for a subject heading in a database. A subject heading is a consistent term used when there are several ways to state a concept. For example, the disease AIDS may also be called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Look in the database thesaurus to find a subject heading for your topic.
Subject Search: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Keyword & Subject Comparison
