Using The ERIC Thesaurus

Searching The Thesaurus

From any page of the ERIC Web site, select the Thesaurus tab. You can then search for a specific word or phrase, or browse to locate a Descriptor alphabetically or by category.

Search

1. Enter a term to retrieve a list of related Descriptors:
   • Enter a complete word, e.g., literacy, to retrieve a list of Descriptors containing the term
   • Enter words without quotes, e.g., secondary education, to retrieve all Descriptors containing both words
   • Enter a phrase within quotes, e.g., "secondary education", to retrieve only an exact match
   • Enter a partial word with the asterisk (*) wildcard, e.g., liter* to retrieve all Descriptors containing the root liter (e.g., literacy, literary, literature)
2. Click on "Start an ERIC Search" to initiate an Advanced Search using those Descriptors. Note: This action copies all Descriptors in the results list to the Advanced Search screen.
   OR
   Use the check boxes to mark one or more Descriptors, then click "Start an ERIC Search".
   OR
   Select one of the Descriptors to get more detailed information, including a definition and lists of broader, narrower, and related terms. You can then click on "Start an ERIC Search" to initiate an Advanced Search using the selected term or continue to investigate other terms.

Browse Alphabetically

1. Click on a letter, and a list of all of the terms in the Thesaurus beginning with that letter will be displayed.
2. Select a Descriptor to view detailed information, including a definition and lists of broader, narrower, and related terms.
3. Click on "Start an ERIC Search" to initiate an Advanced Search.

1. Click on your area of interest to display a list of related Thesaurus terms.
2. Select one of the Descriptors to view detailed information, including a definition and lists of broader, narrower, and related terms.
3. Click on "Start an ERIC Search" to initiate an Advanced Search.