Research : Wordlists
Some of the
information entered into a digital system can be restricted to ensure that only
valid information is provided. This
restriction of choice can be applied to descriptive terms using a controlled
vocabulary - a list of valid words defined in a wordlist or thesaurus.
Simple wordlists are simply a list of words that are allowed to be used,
but with a list it is sometimes difficult to manage generic and specific terms
for similar objects. One solution is
to use a hierarchical ‘tree’ of words with more generic terms as the
‘branches’ and more detailed terms at the ‘leaves’. The
most detailed form is a thesaurus where terms have a hierarchy and have
additional information describing use and suggesting alternative terms.
Using a controlled vocabulary helps ensure that data within a site's
records are consistent, as the same words have been used to describe the same
kinds of objects and the spelling is correct.
The list of
wordlists and thesauri used by Site Recorder is given below, along with the
source of the wordlist and the types of objects that use it.
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