Definition

Subject heading is a search term from an alphabetical list of controlled vocabularies assigned to an item to describe its subject or content.

Function

Subject headings provide subject access to bibliographic records in OPAC. Users can find different items having the same subject by clicking on the subject heading provided in records.  

Structure

A subject heading may consist of one or more words. A one-word heading represents a single concept, whereas a multiple-word heading may represent a single concept or multiple concepts.

• Single – concept headings: A subject heading representing a single concept may appear as a single word or a multiple-word phrase, usually an adjectival phrase but occasionally a prepositional phrase. Each of such heading represents a single object or idea

                Example:

                       - Automobiles

                       - Budget deficits

• Pre- coordinated multiple- concept headings: A pre-coordinated multiple-concept heading contains two or more otherwise individual or independent concepts coordinated or related through one or more linking devices. Pre-coordination results in phrase headings or main-heading/subdivision combinations

                Example:

                      - Budget in business

                      - Earth -- Rotation

                      - History – 1945 -- Vietnam

How to search by subject heading

If you want to find the book about Data communications and networking, use “Data transmission systems or Computer networks.

If you are not sure of an exact subject heading, use a Keyword search. Click on the heading in the full record to go to the items on the same heading.