Access the Online Thesaurus?

TOPIC: Figuring out and translating the correct terminology you should use in a search is always a challenge. You can become familiar with technical terminology by using a database thesaurus, which is a list of recommended terms. They may be available in print form, in electronic form online, or both. There are a number of thesauri available in the science and technology databases on Dialog. You can retrieve a list of databases on Dialog that have thesaurii using the command: HELP THESAURI.

To determine whether a word or phrase is appropriate as a search term, start by using VISUAL EXPAND. VISUAL EXPAND results in an alphabetical listing of the database index roughly beginning at the word or phrase you entered. Look at the RELATED TERMS (RT) column. The word or phrase may have related terms—words or phrases that may represent the same concept, but may not be alphabetically close to the term you entered. To view the related terms, check the box to the left of the expression that has related terms and click the Related button.

In this example we want to find current information on algorithms used in “garbage collection,” a technique in computer science to optimize storage drives. We'll use Inspec® (File 2), a comprehensive scientific and technical database.

COMMAND SUMMARY

BEGIN 2
VUSUAL EXPAND GARBAGE COLLECTION
Check the entry with a related term and click the Related button
Check the entry for Storage Management and click the Related button
Check the comprehensive class code and click the Select button
SELECT S1 AND ALGORITHM?/TI
TYPE S2/8/1-2

HOW TO...

1. BEGIN File 2, Inspec, which deals with technical and computer-related subjects. 2. VISUAL EXPAND the keyword(s) to get a listing of all terms with garbage collection and any related terms. The RT column contains Related Terms with one related term appearing for “garbage collection (computers). Click the Related button to see more terms.
3. Check the "Storage Management" term to see more related terms. "U" in the Type column means USE (e.g., the preferred term). Click the Related button.
4. Checking the entries which EXPANDed the Related Terms further resulted in finding a classification code covering most of the terms. Check the class code entry and click the Select button.
5. Use the class code with keywords to refine the search. Limit the keyword to the title (/TI) of articles.
6. TYPE a couple of records using Format 8 to see titles, descriptors and identifier terms, as well as class codes.

RELATED HOW DO I...? SOLUTIONS

• Find technical information on a specific topic?
• Use the explode command to retrieve comprehensive results?
• Find terms used most frequently to search a specific topic?
• Find class codes and use them in a search?
• Find an expert in a specific area of research?

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Stock #: 53711; Last modified: 14 Sep 2011

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