Keyword vs controlled vocabulary searching: the one with the most tools wins

McCutcheon, Sevim

The Indexer: The International Journal of Indexing (2009), 27, (2), 62–65.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3828/indexer.2009.21
Language: English
Pages: 4

Abstract

Sevim McCutcheon explores the strengths and weaknesses of keyword and controlled vocabulary searching with particular reference to the Library of Congress Subject Headings system, coming to the conclusion (as exemplified by the practice in her own university, Kent State, Ohio, USA) that each system has its strengths and weaknesses, that in practice they are complementary to one another, and that the best results are achieved by using the two in combination: in other words, they who have the most tools win.

Read now (free)

If you have private access to this content, please log in with your username and password here

Alakus, M. (2007) A women’s thesaurus in Turkey: addressing the challenge. The Indexer 25(3),176–81. A women’s thesaurus in Turkey: addressing the challenge The Indexer 25 176 81 Google Scholar

Bagheri, M. (2006), Development of thesauri in Iran. The Indexer 25(1), 19–22. Development of thesauri in Iran The Indexer 25 19 22 Google Scholar

Barlow, C. (2009) Serials indexing: from journals to databases. The Indexer 27(1), 2–6. Serials indexing: from journals to databases The Indexer 27 2 6 Google Scholar

Chan, L. M. (2000) Exploiting LCSH, LCC and DDC to retrieve networked resources: issues and challenges. Bicentennial Conference on Bibliographic Control for the New Millennium, sponsored by the Library of Congress Cataloging Directorate [online] http://www.loc.gov/catdir/bibcontrol/chan_paper.html (accessed 22 March 2009). Google Scholar

Denda, K. (2005) Beyond subject headings: a structured information retrieval tool for interdisciplinary fields. Library Resources and Technical Services 49(4), 266–75. Beyond subject headings: a structured information retrieval tool for interdisciplinary fields Library Resources and Technical Services 49 266 75 Google Scholar

Gorman, M. (2004) Authority control in the context of bibliographic control in the electronic environment. Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 38(3/4), 11–22. Authority control in the context of bibliographic control in the electronic environment Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 38 11 22 Google Scholar

Hedden, H. (2008) Controlled vocabularies, thesauri and taxonomies. The Indexer 26(1), 33–5. Controlled vocabularies, thesauri and taxonomies The Indexer 26 33 5 Google Scholar

Gross, T. and Taylor, A. G. (2005) What have we got to lose? The effect of controlled vocabulary on keyword searching results. College and Research Libraries 66(3), 212–30. What have we got to lose? The effect of controlled vocabulary on keyword searching results College and Research Libraries 66 212 30 Google Scholar

Johncocks, B. (2005) The myth of the reusable index. The Indexer 24(4), 213–17. The myth of the reusable index The Indexer 24 213 17 Google Scholar

Leise, F. (2008) Controlled vocabularies: an introduction. The Indexer 26(3), 232–6. Controlled vocabularies: an introduction The Indexer 26 232 6 Google Scholar

Mann, T. (2005) Will Google’s keyword searching eliminate the need for LC cataloging and classification? [online] http://guild2910.org/searching.htm (accessed 20 March 2009). Google Scholar

Mann, T. (2007) The Peloponnesian War and the future of reference, cataloging, and scholarship in research libraries. Prepare for AFSCME 2910, Library of Congress Professional Guild, 13 June 2007 [online] http://guild2910.org/Pelopponesian%20War%20June%2013%202007.pdf (accessed 10 January 2009). Google Scholar

Marcum, D. B. (2004) The future of cataloging: address to the Ebsco Leadership Seminar, Boston, Massachusetts, 16 January 2004 [online] http://guild2910.org/marcum.htm (accessed 20 March 2009). Google Scholar

McCutcheon, S. et al (2008) Morphing metadata: maximizing access to electronic theses and dissertations. Library Hi Tech 26(1), 41–57. Morphing metadata: maximizing access to electronic theses and dissertations Library Hi Tech 26 41 57 Google Scholar

OhioLINK ETD Center [online] http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/ (accessed 1 March 2009). Google Scholar

Wilson, T. D. (2006) Information seeking behaviour and the digital information world. The Indexer 25(1), 28–31. Information seeking behaviour and the digital information world The Indexer 25 28 31 Google Scholar