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What is a Thesaurus anyway?. A structured wordlist used to standardise terminologyDoes more than a standard wordlist - helps with indexing and acts as a guide to a subject area. Do I really need to bother using a Thesaurus?. Yes - otherwise chaos will ensue!Enables much better searching to find what you really wantProvides a consensus so that everyone uses the same termsGives definitions of terms (called scope notes).
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1. What is a thesaurus and why should I use one? Data Standards Unit
English Heritage
2. What is a Thesaurus anyway? A structured wordlist used to standardise terminology
Does more than a standard wordlist - helps with indexing and acts as a guide to a subject area
3. Do I really need to bother using a Thesaurus? Yes - otherwise chaos will ensue!
Enables much better searching to find what you really want
Provides a consensus so that everyone uses the same terms
Gives definitions of terms (called scope notes)
4. I’m convinced. Where can I find a suitable thesaurus? The NMR has been developing thesauri for the heritage community for 15 years
You can access them through your web browser
You can also find online help and contact details there
www.english-heritage.org.uk/thesaurus/frequentuser.htm
5. What does the Thesaurus cover? There are several thesauri maintained by the NMR, but the two used by the OASIS forms are:
Thesaurus of Monument Types
mda Archaeological Objects Thesaurus
6. How do I use the Thesaurus? There are several search options for finding the term you want
You can view the thesaurus by letter or by class
more information is available on the website by using the Help facility
7. Example You have recently completed an excavation on an Iron Age hillfort
You need to find out whether HILLFORT is a valid term
Click on the link for the Thesaurus of Monument Types
17. But the term I need to use isn’t there! The thesauri are updated regularly, and we welcome suggestions for new terms (candidate terms)
on the thesauri web page, click on the
fill in the section of the form dedicated to candidate terms
Don’t forget to add some supporting evidence
18. What if I need more help? Contact the Data Standards Unit:
English Heritage
National Monuments Record Centre
Kemble Drive
SWINDON
SN2 2GZ
01793 414883
hdm.info@english-heritage.org.uk