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BIOSIS Previews
Controlled Vocabulary
Controlled Vocabulary List (Authority File)
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The controlled vocabulary list (Authority File) is available for records from 1993
forward and uses natural language rather than codes to index topics to controlled
terminology.
The BIOSIS controlled vocabulary list (Authority File) comprises several branches
or subject areas. Searching is achieved here by using a combination of controlled
terminology for broad topics and to set the overall scope of the search and free text
for specific topics, allowing greater precision and use of up-to-date and author's
terminology.
Online it is possible to view term definitions, scope and history notes, as well as
broader, narrower, and related terms and phrases. This offers a powerful way to
enhance your search.
It is important to remember that terms included only represent selected topics and
relate to certain fields. The arrangement is not the same as MEDLINE or CAB
Abstracts which have more controlled terminology for all topics covered.
When carrying out a search, first check if controlled terminology is available for
the search topic by looking up the term (and its synonyms and variants) in the
controlled vocabulary lists (Authority File).
The Authority File branches are:
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Major Concepts
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Organisms
New Taxon Modifiers
Fossil Modifiers
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Super Taxa
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Taxa Notes
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Diseases
Disease Modifiers
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Parts, Structures, and Systems
Organ System Modifiers
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Chemicals and Biochemicals
Drug Modifiers
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Sequence Data
Sequence Type Modifiers
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Geopolitical Location
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Institutions & Organizations
Institution Type Modifiers
