Thesauri are helpful reference aids that can be used when you are doing library research and
need to think of synonyms for
concepts related to your
topic. Using synonyms can help broaden your search results, particularly when you are doing a
keyword search.
Many databases provide an online thesaurus – a list of terms used in that database to describe the
content of the articles. The following print versions of thesauri are available in the MSASS Harris
Library. Taking a few minutes to read the introduction to the thesaurus will assist you in using
the resource.
Note: Please click on the link to EuclidPLUS for call number, location,
and availability.
Chapman, R. L. (Ed.). (1992).
Roget's international
thesaurus. (5th Ed.). New York: HarperCollins.
Knapp, S. D. (2000).
The contemporary thesaurus of search
terms and synonyms: a guide for natural language computer searching (2nd ed.).
Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.
This thesaurus cuts across many disciplines – social, cultural,
psychological, and political – and is specifically designed to assist with natural language
searching in online databases. Variations of root words, as well as synonyms, are included.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (U.S.). (2000).
The alcohol and other drug thesaurus: a
guide to concepts and terminology in substance abuse and addiction (3rd Ed., Vols. 1-4).
Rockville, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
A broad thesaurus designed to organize the language of many
disciplines related to research on alcohol and other drugs and the prevention and treatment of
problems associated with their use. This thesaurus is also available
electronically online.
Rimkus, A., Melinchok, M. D., McEvoy, K., & Yeager, A. K. (Eds.). (2005).
Thesaurus of aging terminology (8th
ed.). Washington, DC: AgeLine Database, Research Information Center, AARP.
A list of the vocabulary words used to index books and journal
articles cited in the AgeLine Database – an online bibliographic database produced by the American
Association of Retired Persons, which focuses on aging and older adults, in particular, the social,
psychological, economic, policy, and health care aspects. This thesaurus is also available
electronically online.
Thesaurus of ERIC
descriptors. (1995). (13th Ed.). Washington, DC: Educational Research
Information Center, Bureau of Research.
The controlled vocabulary for the ERIC database. Many terms can
be used for doing research outside the educational setting.
Thesaurus
of psychological index terms. (2005). (10th Ed.). Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
A reference tool for use with PsycINFO and PsycLIT
databases. Terms represent concepts used in the psychological and behavioral literature, as
well as social work, education, sociology, and medicine.
