If you need a quick fact, definition, date, etc., check one of these quick reference resources!
Atlases and Maps
Factbooks
Almanacs
Encyclopedias
Dictionaries
Thesauruses
Biographies
Book of Days
Quotations
Keywords are the words you use naturally. Typically you use keywords in a search engine.
Subject headings are specific categories used to describe content within a database. Libraries use subject headings. If you find a book or article and want similar books or articles, using the subject headings will help you do that quickly and accurately. In addition, subject headings can help you be more accurate in finding information.
Knowing subject headings can help you find information, but in most cases you won't know them offhand. However, you can find subject headings by using a database, such as Badgerlink.
To find subject headings:
1. Do a keyword search using terms related to your topic in a database
(like those in Badgerlink)
2. Browse through the results and choose a few that look useful
3. Look at the subject area of the entry and write the subject down
4. Use those subject headings to redo your search
Here are a few examples of subject headings found during the search for the information on this libguide: WORLD War, 1939-1945; WAR & society; HISTORY, Modern -- 20th century; HITLER, Adolf, 1889-1945; HISTORICAL revisionism; WORLD politics -- 1945-1989; COLD War; WORLD politics -- 20th century; WOMEN employees; MUSIC; WAR photography; HOLOCAUST, Jewish (1939-1945); DOCUMENTARY photography; STREET photography
Again, keywords are the words you naturally use. Pick out descriptive keywords when searching for information. If too many resources pop up, try being more specific. For example, instead of "US President" try "Franklin Delano Roosevelt". Also, try adding more keywords. Adding "World War II" to the same search will only bring up web sites that have both keywords in them.
Check each tab for examples of keywords that were used to find the information on that tab.
Here's a few places that may prove useful in your research:
Remember to consider the keywords you are using and don't be afraid to use subject headings, too!