Using The ERIC Thesaurus

Understanding Your ERIC Thesaurus Search Results

A typical Thesaurus record is shown below.

Sample Record

Field Name	Definition
Record Type	Indicates the status of a term; one of the following will be used: Main - term is a Descriptor used by indexers to organize the ERIC database by subject Synonym - term is not a Descriptor; see 'Use Term', below Dead - term is no longer a Descriptor; see alternative provided
Scope Note	Provides a definition or describes what the term covers. It may clarify an ambiguous term or indicate a special meaning in the field of education.
Category	Indicates the broad group of terms to which this specific Descriptor belongs; searchers can browse the Thesaurus by category to identify additional search terms.
Broader Terms	Suggests additional search terms that are less specific than the term searched.
Narrower Terms	Suggests additional search terms that are more specific than the term searched.
Related Terms	Suggests additional search terms that are conceptually linked to the term searched.
Used For	Indicates that the selected term should be used instead of the term(s) listed.
Use Term	Directs searcher to use either a single Main term or a combination of Main terms.
Add Date	Shows when the term was added to the Thesaurus.
Postings	Provides the number of records indexed with the term.

Sometimes Thesaurus search results identify terms that are not valid Descriptors, noted in the Record Type. In these instances the entry directs you to other terms:

Synonym and 'Use Term'

As the record below shows, ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION was added to the Thesaurus in 1966 as a synonym and cannot be used for searching. The Use Term field directs you to use ACHIEVEMENT NEED to search for related records. Clicking on the underlined term will take you to the entry for that Descriptor.

Synonym Thesaurus Results

There are instances in which no single term will suffice for searching the topic. Instead, the Thesaurus indicates that the searcher should start an ERIC search using both Descriptors listed in the Use Term field --Journalism; Writing (Composition)--to locate relevant materials.

USEAND Thesaurus Results

The year in parentheses points out a change in status, and may indicate the term had once been a valid Descriptor. You can locate any records indexed with the term by initiating a search without the date string (i.e., "Feature Stories").

Dead

Sometimes Thesaurus search results identify a term that is no longer valid for current indexing. The Record Type will be noted as Dead, and dates of usage are noted across the top. The term may still be used to retrieve records from that prior period. Instructions for searching with terms currently in use appear in the Scope Note.

Dead Thesaurus Results

Search Tips

Take a closer look at Narrower Terms, Broader Terms and Related Terms in your Thesaurus search results. Any of these Descriptors may be used to replace or enhance your original search criteria.

Search terms that are no longer in use can still be helpful in locating older materials that were indexed when those terms were valid. Take note of their dates of use and be sure to read the Scope Note to learn about any suggested Descriptors for identifying more recent materials.