The Ohio State University

www.osu.edu

  1. Help
  2. Campus map
  3. Find people
  4. Webmail

Ohio State University logo University Libraries arrow Guide to Information Resources in Education

Guide to Information Resources in Education:
Using a Database Thesaurus



A thesaurus is a list of predetermined words and phrases that describe the subject matter of a database.  A synonym for "thesaurus" is "controlled vocabulary" because the database creators "control" the vocabulary assigned to the database's subject headings.  A real-world example of a thesaurus is the list of subject headings used in the telephone Yellow Pages.  That is, whether you want to find a lawyer or an attorney (or an ambulance-chaser) in the Yellow Pages you must look under "Attorneys."  This actually helps you out--provided you know what term to use--because you only have to look under one heading in order to find yourself a good lawyer.

An information database often has an accompanying thesaurus.  An online database like ERIC and PsycINFO may have an online thesaurus incorporated into it.  Other databases, whether online or print, may have printed thesauri that you can use in tandem with the databases.

Following is a basic description of how to use a thesaurus.   If you need further explanation, feel free to ask a librarian for help.

ERIC and PsycINFO--Using an Online Thesaurus Effectively

The OhioLINK versions of ERIC and PsycINFO both have their own thesauri integrated into the database interface, making it easy for you to:
  • find appropriate subject headings (sometimes also called "descriptors")
  • build powerful, accurate searches
Using and Interpreting the Thesaurus:
When you call up a search screen, you will see a box labeled "CHECK KEYWORDS IN THESAURUS" marked with a checkmark.  This means the thesaurus is automatically turned on. (Simply click on the box to turn off the thesaurus, every time you don't want to use it.)
  1. Type the term you're searching for in the "KEYWORD OR PHRASE" box, then click the "SEARCH" button.
  2. The resulting screen will display every official word or phrase in the thesaurus that contains that term.  Sometimes it also will list cross-references from terms that aren't used to terms that are; for instance, from "curriculum, core" to "core curriculum".
  3. Beneath each valid term you'll see displayed: "SEARCH", "FOCUS", "EXPAND", "EXPAND/FOCUS", and "VIEW THESAURUS". Choose "VIEW THESAURUS".
  4. On the next screen, you'll see your term repeated.  Sometimes a "scope note" with a brief definition of the term and the date it was first included in the thesaurus will appear in grey above the term.
  5. Terms marked "+" above your term are BROADER terms.  (These are optional.)
  6. Terms marked "-" beneath your term are NARROWER terms. (These are optional.)
  7. Terms marked "Related" farther down the screen are just that, RELATED. (These are optional.)
  8. Make a note of BROADER, NARROWER, and RELATED terms that you might want to use later.

Beneath your original term you now see four choices: SEARCH, FOCUS, EXPAND, EXPAND/FOCUS.  Choosing one will result in the following:
  • SEARCH = all items that have that term as a subject heading, whether major or minor.
  • FOCUS = all items that have that term as a MAJOR subject heading only
  • EXPAND = all items that have that term OR ANY OF THE NARROWER TERMS as a subject heading, whether major or minor
  • EXPAND/FOCUS = all items that have that term OR ANY OF THE NARROWER TERMS as a MAJOR subject heading only
  • Note:  None of these choices will include RELATED terms.  You must search for RELATED terms separately.

Often, the term you enter in the KEYWORD OR PHRASE box will turn out not to be a valid thesaurus term.  Your results screen will read: NO SUBJECTS IN THE THESAURUS MATCH THE TERM [EXAMPLE: "PROFICIENCY TESTING"].  You'll be given the following choices:
  1. GET SUGGESTED TERMS FROM THE THESAURUS -- Often you can find an appropriate subject heading on the resulting list.
  2. SEARCH "[PROFIENCY TESTING]" AS A KEYWORD OR PHRASE -- If you don't like any of the subject headings suggested by the thesaurus, try this step.  Then check the subject headings attached to relevant items that result.
  3. BROWSE NEARBY SUBJECT HEADINGS ALPHABETICALLY-- Use this step to see if you might have made a minor spelling error.
More tips on thesaurus searching

Basic Search Strategy:
  1. Divide your topic into its component parts.  Using the thesaurus, you'll be searching each part separately, then combining your searches.
  2. Example:  proficiency testing's effects on the curriculum = 1. proficiency testing + 2. curriculum
  3. Make a list of synonyms, variant forms, and related terms for "proficiency testing".  For instance, synonyms might include "high stakes testing" and "achievement testing".  Variant forms might be "test", "tests" or "testing".  Related terms might include "outcome measures", "benchmarks", and "standards".  Using the thesaurus, search for each of these terms, then combine the resulting sets using the "SEARCH HISTORY" list and the "OR" operator.  This will give you a large "proficiency testing" concept set.
  4. Do the same for "curriculum". This will give you a large "curriculum" concept set.
  5. Finally, take those two large sets and combine them with each other, but this time use the "AND" operator.  This will give you a much smaller results set because you'll only find the items in which "proficiency testing" and "curriculum" occur at the same time.
Return to top

OSCAR--Using a Print Thesaurus Effectively

Many online and print databases use print thesauri for their subject headings.  One of the most common is the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH).  This is the thesaurus used in OSCAR, OSU's online library catalog.  You'll find a copy located in 205 Sullivant Hall near the Reference Desk.

Here's what you might find in the LCSH if you looked up the term "multiculturalism":
    Multiculturalism (bold face indicates a valid subject heading)
      F ("Used For"; don't use)
        Cultural diversity policy
      BT ("Broader Term")
        Social policy
      RT ("Related Term")
        Ethnicity
      NT ("Narrower Term")
        Diversity in the workplace
        -- Law and legislation (sub-heading)
        -- Religious aspects (sub-heading)

Notice that these aren't much different than the scope notes, +, - , and related terms you'll find in the online ERIC and PsycINFO thesauri.  Make note of the relevant subject headings you find here and use them in your database searching.  If you invest a little time in exploring the LCSH before you begin your search of OSCAR, you'll save time in the long run.

You'll find other, more specialized thesauri in the 205 Sullivant that you can use with other databases.  For instance:

  • Philosopher's Index Thesaurus (use with Philosopher's Index)
  • Thesaurus of Aging Terminology (use with AgeLINE)
  • Thesaurus of Sociological Indexing Terms (use with Sociological Abstracts; SocAbs also has an integrated online thesaurus)
Return to top