A Comparative Study of the Persian and English Keywords of Theses from the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and the Thesauruses and Persian Medical Subject Headings

• Main Authors: Masoomeh Naghneh Esfahani, Mozafar Cheshmeh Sohrabi, Nahid Banieghbal
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Vesnu Publications 2013-02-01
• Series: مدیریت اطلاعات سلامت
• Online Access: http://him.mui.ac.ir/index.php/him/article/view/598

Introduction: Today, indexing is an important tool in information retrieval. The aim of the present Study was to identify the level of compliance of the Persian and English keywords in Farsi and English abstracts and titles of dissertations of the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, with the Persian Medical Thesaurus and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), which are the most important medical thesauruses. Methods: This was a descriptive survey done in 2011. The study sample included 2942 postgraduate theses from 8 libraries of the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. 340 theses were selected by stratified random sampling. . Data collection was performed by a researcher-constructed checklist and by visiting libraries and studying the dissertations. Data analysis was performed by non-parametric statistical analysis (X2) and correlation coefficient. Due to the nature of the survey it has no reliability and its validity was confirmed by reviewing 10 cases based on the checklist, and modifying them according to the views of two library professionals. Results: There is a significant correlation between Persian and English keywords, and the Persian Medical Thesaurus and MeSH. Most keywords had a composite or single-word structure, and most of the keywords were selected from the abstract. The majority of selected keywords were English. Conclusion: Keyword selection at the end of thesis abstracts is a form of free indexing. Therefore, studying researchers’ keywords can pave the way for the modification of indexing tools for in science, especially the medical sciences. Keywords: Vocabulary, Controlled; Medical Subject Headings; Keywords; Academic Dissertations