Page 183 - DLIS405_INFORMATION_STORAGE_AND_RETRIEVAL

Information Storage and Retrieval

Notes Related Term

Variant Term

Thesaurus; pl. Thesauri
SN A controlled vocabulary that indicates preferred terms and variant terms. In addition to
the equivalence relationship, vocabulary terms in a thesaurus exhibit both hierarchical and
associative relationships. These three relationships are called “standard thesaural relationships.”
Thesauri are usually considered the most complex of controlled vocabularies.
BT Controlled Vocabulary
RT Associative Relationship
Equivalence Relationship
Hierarchical Relationship

User Warrant

SN The inclusion of a vocabulary term in a controlled vocabulary based on use by users. Such terms
can be identified through search log analysis or free listing.
RT Free Listing
Literary Warrant
Vocabulary Term

Variant Term

SN A vocabulary term that means nearly the same thing as a preferred term. Variant terms are used
in the controlled vocabulary to provide entry terms that lead to preferred terms. Variant terms may
include synonyms, lexical variants, quasi-synonyms and abbreviations. Variant terms are sometimes
referred to as “entry terms.” The collection of all variant terms may be referred to as the “entry
vocabulary.”
UF Alternate Term
Entry Term
Non-preferred Term
RT Equivalence Relationship
Preferred Term

Vocabulary Term

SN A word or phrase in a controlled vocabulary. It may be a preferred term or variant term.
Vocabulary terms may exhibit several types of term relationships.

UF Term

NT Preferred Term
Variant Term
The resulting tool is multipurpose, as easily applicable to shelf arrangement and conventional
classified card catalogues as to co-ordinate indexing and computerized retrieval systems. The reasons
are given for modifying certain traditional facet techniques, including the choice of traditional
disciplines for main classes, the lack of a ‘built-in’ preferred order, and the use, in certain instances,

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