How To Search For Literature Using Natural Language & Controlled Vocabulary
Depending on what Banner Library resources you are searching, breaking your inquiry down into its component keywords is essential. However, not just any keywords lead to a fruitful search. If you know how the information is organized, you can find it.
That precise terminology even has a name: Controlled Vocabulary (CV). CV creates a standard for information organization. Keep in mind that "official terminology" or CV might not mirror natural language.
Let's say as an example that I need information on healthcare disparities among transgender adults.
- Document your strategy using Logbook created by VU Amsterdam Libraries.
- Formulate your research question and break into separate concepts. In this case: Concept 1 = Transgender Adults and Concept 2 = Healthcare Disparities
- Collect relevant CV/MeSH terms for each Concept
- Collect relevant natural language/keywords (TIAB terms) use [tiab] field code after keyword: Ex: transgender[tiab])
- Combining Concepts: use Boolean operators AND and OR
- Search for keywords in both title and abstract fields to discover "official terminology". Document any additional terms you find.
