Subject headings, descriptors and thesauri terms are examples of "controlled vocabularies." They are lists of pre-defined, carefully selected words and phrases used to classify and organize information. Subject headings and thesauri terms describe the general content of a book, an article, an essay, or other information unit.

The keyword search is based on an exact word match, but a subject or thesaurus search locates records by assigned subject or descriptors and allows you to more precisely retrieve relevant information on your topic.

Use subject headings and thesauri terms to:

• get research ideas
• browse synonyms, broader terms, and narrower topics of interest
• get specific, targeted results
• combine with keyword searching for more focused results
• identify relationship between related terms

Identify all the major concepts of your thesis or research topic. Then use the thesaurus or subject index to locate, explore and select subject terms for each concept of your topic.

In a psychology database, use the thesaurus to browse and search subject headings related to psychology

1. Click the Thesaurus link in the top menu bar. (Several subject lists may be available to select from if you are searching multiple databases.)

2. On the thesaurus browse screen:
Key in your term or subject, select the type of display (Term Begins With, Term Contains, or Relevancy Ranked), and then click Browse.

3. Mark the checkbox(es) in front of the subject heading(s) you want to search. Click Add. Your marked subject headings are added to the top search box.
Or, click the subject heading text link to view a description, along with other related, narrower and/or broader terms.

4. Click Search. Add additional keywords or other thesaurus terms to your search, as needed.

1. Click Subject Terms in the top menu bar.

2. On the browse screen, enter your term or subject, select the display option (Term Begins With, Term Contains, or Relevancy Ranked), and then click the Browse button.

3. Mark one or multiple terms. Click Add. (Or, click a subject term to view the Scope Note, Broader Terms, Related Terms or Narrower Terms.) Your marked subject headings are added to the top search box. Add additional keywords or other thesaurus terms to your search, as needed.

After you search your term(s), use the subject list in the right menu to limit the results Psychology and Counseling. Click More to view more subjects.