Subject Headings vs. Keywords

Subject headings are part of a controlled vocabulary specific to a particular set of databases or library catalogues. Subject headings don't always match the language/terminology we would use in everyday speech.

A subject heading is only assigned to an item (that is, a book or article) when the item is specifically about that subject. For example, books with "Marriage" in their subject heading are mainly and specifically on the topic of Marriage. Thus, subject headings can narrow your search if your results are too broad.

Keywords are simply words that can appear anywhere in the title, subject heading, abstract, or even full text of the article. If you search Marriage as a keyword, then you can locate books that mention marriage on a single page or have a short chapter addressing Marriage.

You can also combine keywords and subject headings in the advanced search in any database to narrow or broaden your results.

Japan-specific Search terms:

• Japan Gender Identity
• Japan Homosexuality
• Japan Masculinity
• Japan Men
• Japan Sex Customs
• Japan Sex Discrimination
• Japan Sex Role
• Japan Sexual Minorities
• Japan Women

Found in Case Main Level 2

• BF692-692.5: Psychology of Sex (some may be located in Cooley Science Library)
• E98.S48: Two-Spirit
• HQ73: General works on sexual minorities
• HQ74: Bisexuality
• HQ75-76.965: Homosexuality and Lesbianism
• HQ75.15: Gay and Lesbian Studies
• HQ75.3: Lesbians
• HQ75.7-76.2: Gay men
• HQ76.34-76.35: Same-sex relationships
• HQ76.5-76.8: Gay Rights Movement. Gay liberation movement.
• HQ76.85: Gay conservatives
• HQ76.96-76.965: Gay and lesbian culture
• HQ77: Transvestism
• HQ77.7-77.95: Transsexualism
• HQ1033-1034: Same-sex marriage
• HQ1075-1075.5: Sex Role
• HQ1088-1090.7: Men
• HQ1101-2030.7: Women, Feminism
• HV1449: Protection, assistance and relief: Gay men & Lesbians
• HV6250.4.H66: Victims of Crime/Victimology: Homosexuals

Found on Case Main Level 4

• K670-709: Domestic Relations. Family Law.
• PN2071.I47: Female Impersonators, drag performance.
• UB418.G38: Gays in the military

Also check the reference collection on Level 3.