This part of the tutorial has presented strategies for using keywords and subject headings and shown the differences between the two. Remember:

Keywords

• are limited only by your imagination
• produce items that use the keyword anywhere in the record (and sometimes anywhere in the text)
• can produce results unrelated to your research topic.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

• appear in an approved list
• are assigned only to books and sources that discuss that subject in some detail
• offer recommendations for narrowing, broadening, and refining the search
• produce targeted results and suggestions for more options
• can lead you to additional books/sources.