Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, Second Edition

Technical Lingo

If you’re working with controlled vocabularies and thesauri, it’s useful to know the core terminology used by experts in the field to communicate definitions and relationships. This specialized technical language can provide efficiency and specificity when communicating among experts. Just don’t expect your users to recognize these terms. In the web environment, you can’t require that users take a library science class before they use your information system.

Preferred Term (PT)

Also known as the accepted term, acceptable value, subject heading, or descriptor. All relationships are defined with respect to the Preferred Term.

Variant Term (VT)

Also known as entry terms or non-preferred terms, Variant Terms have been defined as equivalent to or loosely synonymous with the Preferred Term.

Broader Term (BT)

The Broader Term is the parent of the Preferred Term. It’s one level higher in the hierarchy.

Narrower Term (NT)

A Narrower Term is a child of the Preferred Term. It’s one level lower in the hierarchy.

Related Term (RT)

The Related Term is connected to the Preferred Term through the associative relationship. The relationship is often articulated through use of See Also. For example, Tylenol See Also Headache.

Use (U)

Traditional thesauri often employ the following syntax as a tool for indexers and users: Variant Term Use Preferred Term. For example, Tilenol Use Tylenol. Many people are more familiar with See, as in Tilenol See Tylenol.

Used For (UF)

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