Some databases, like the MLA International Bibliography, have their own searchable thesaurus or index of subject headings. Use these to determine how a database classifies your subject and to identify useful sub-headings to narrow your search. There are two ways to do this in the MLA International Bibliography database.
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If you insert a keyword on the main MLAIB search screen and do not check the box for "map term to Subject Heading," the database will automatically search the title, collection title, and heading fields for your term. If you check this box, as above, the database will lead you to a set of subject headings potentially related to your keyword, as shown below. |
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Select any of the headings that might be of use to you by checking the box next to them and then click "continue." The database will identify all records with those subject headings. |
Here is a second method of identifying subject headings in the MLAB:
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If you select the tools icon
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Here are the thesaurus listings for "utopia," showing you broader, narrower, and related terms for your topic. Click the "select" boxes for any subject headings that might be useful for your search and then click "continue" to find additional records classified under those subject headings. |
Click here to return to Identifying Useful Subject Headings.
on the main
search page of the MLA International Bibliography database, you will get
a screen like this. Insert your subject term, check the "thesaurus"box,
and perform the search.