Design and implementation of system for exploring subject headings. Issue 1 (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murakami, Harumi; Tang, Zhenguo; Kurihara, Atsushi
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology. Volume 52:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 4
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: Design -- implementation -- subject headings -- BSH -- NDLSH -- LCSH; Information science -- Congresses; Information technology -- Congresses; Information science; Information technology; Conference papers and proceedings; 020
• DOI: 10.1002/pra2.2015.145052010086
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2373-9231

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Subject headings are tools for subject searches in libraries. Visualization tools for subject headings are available for such public searches as NDLSH and LCSH. We report two questionnaire investigations on how to display subject headings and their relations to visualize the shape and the color of icons and the links that connect them. We created an appropriate design from among the choices that subjects chose and understood. Red was selected for broader terms, blue for narrower terms, and green for related terms. Our participants preferred a square layout to a circular layout. Based on our results, we designed a display of subject headings and implemented a prototype that explores BSH, NDLSH, and LCSH and searches through a university OPAC, the NDL Search, and the LC Online Catalog. With our methodology, a questionnaire survey was performed, and our designs are based on survey results, and a prototype was implemented. Our findings are applicable to other kinds of subject headings, classifications, and thesauruses.