Keyword versus Subject Searching

One of the major differences between a controlled metadata system like a library catalog, and the search engines that we utilize every day on the internet, is the way in which subject metadata is created, indexed, and searched for. A library catalog, for instance, runs on the idea of a controlled vocabulary, whereby items are allocated pre-defined subject headings by human catalogers (e.g. History--Byzantine Empire). This gives the item a fairly detailed and accurate description, and facilitates the reliable search and retrieval of information resources that library users are familiar with. Search engines, on the other hand, largely rely on automated indexing, and utilize a keyword, or natural language, style of search (e.g. "What year did Jesse Owens win his gold medals?"). The difference between the two systems is fairly well reflected in the results one will see for a typical internet search - millions of hits, and the retrieval of an extraordinary amount of web sites that have absolutely no relevance to the original search...oh, and don't forget porn sites. This blog entry isn't to make a claim in favor of one or the other, for it is a gross simplification. Both controlled vocabulary, subject-based searches, as well as keyword natural language types have their role in the metadata world, and their relative strengths and weaknesses.

If the differences between keyword and subject searches are new to you, the George Mason University Libraries provides a fairly helpful guide that notes the differences between the two search methods, and the instances in which each should be used. While the information pertains mostly to the use keyword and subject searches in a library catalog, they can be equally applied to online resources, discovery services, and search engines.  There is also a brief, but helpful, section on how to use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT, etc...) to get the most out of complex searches. Searching may seem to be a very basic skill, but there are actually quite a few tricks that are useful for those looking to spend more time reading relevant articles and pages, and less time browsing pages upon pages of irrelevant search results. With more and more information resources moving into the digital environment, the ability to quickly and efficiently search for specific items will only become more valuable.