Subject headings are controlled vocabulary used within databases. This means that a database has come up with a standardized list of topic or subject descriptors that are used to categorize all materials in the database. Subject headings are a good way to find other materials related to your topic.
When using the AU Catalog you can find this subject heading category on the left side of the screen with all the other refining results options.
Example:
1. Searching "climate justice" AND "economic disparities" in the AU catalog brings up the following subject headings:
2. Looking at the Environmental Justice subject headings narrows down your options to 31 which is much more digestible.
3. Here is the narrowed down list of 31 results.
You can also use the Subject Headings as a way to build on your keywords list. Besides adding onto your list, you can also click on specific subject headings like "Climate Justice" and look at the various materials that mention a topic. This is a great way to browse what scholarship is out there on a subject!
Example:
1. Looking at the subject headings assigned to this particular article.
2. Taking the highlighted heading and doing a catalog wide search of that subject heading.
