In First Search , you have the option to browse the subject keywords in a list form. It also shows the number of hits you can expect if you search using the word. Searching Subject Headings Searching the Subject Headings field is a very specific method of searching. Each item will have only a few subject terms which must be chosen from a list of allowable subject headings, a controlled vocabulary. For an example of how to use this search strategy, see Clarify Your Topic .
Librarians rely on it as a means of controlling the terms added to the subject field.
Since subject headings are created by humans rather than software, searching subject headings is the most precise method of searching. The LCSH is an excellent place to look if you need ideas or help in figuring out what terms to search. Since the Internet is not organized in the same way a research database is, you usually cannot do field searching on the Web nor can you rely on the consistency of a controlled vocabulary.