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There are many ways to search the BGSU Libraries Catalog and the Research Databases. While some ways to search are straightforward, such as searching by author or title, other possible
ways to search can be confusing. This is the case with word searching and subject searching.
Subject Searching:
Every item in a database is assigned at least one subject heading. (In some databases, the word "descriptor" is used instead
of "subject heading.") These subject headings (or descriptors) come from a predetermined list of possible terms and reflect
the content of the item. This means that someone actually reviewed an item to determine its contents, and then selected one
or more subject headings/descriptors to describe it. Additionally, a subject search is a very specific kind of search, looking
in only one field of each record -- the subject field.
If you know the subject heading/descriptor which matches your topic, try a subject search. You'll be guaranteed to find a
list of items whose content matches your topic. If you don't know the specific subject heading/descriptor, searching by subject
becomes trickier. In these cases, trying a word search is a better strategy.
Word Searching:
Word searching, sometimes called full-text searching or textword searching, looks for your search term or terms in many parts
of an item record. A word search often looks at words in an item's title, abstract or notes, and subject field. (This is much
different from a subject search which looks at only one field-- the subject/descriptor field.)
Word searching is a mixed blessing. On one hand, it is extremely helpful if the subject/descriptor is unknown. Using your
own search terms, you can retrieve lists of materials on a topic without having to know that specific subject/descriptor heading.
On the other hand, it often brings back many useless materials, which are sometimes called "false hits." Since the word search
looks for your terms in so many fields, it can pick up the term in the title, abstract, notes, or other fields. An examination
of the subject heading may reveal that an item is not useful for your research
Research Hint:
Often, a successful search strategy uses both word searching and subject searching:
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Do a word search to find materials on your topic.
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Examine the list of materials to locate one whose content seems to match your topic.
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Once you have this one item on the computer screen, look at the subject/descriptor field to determine which subject/descriptor
heading best matches your topic.
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Do a new search for material on your topic. This time, try a subject search for the subject/descriptor heading that looked
promising.
If you have any questions about word searches or subject searches, please contact one of our Reference/Information Desks, or email Ask-A-Librarian.
Boolean Operators | Evaluating Print Sources | Evaluating Web Pages | Magazines and Journals | Primary and Secondary Sources | Truncation and Wild Cards
Questions or Comments? Contact
Catherine Cardwell, Library Instruction Coordinator
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