LibGuides: Accessibility and Disability : APA PsycInfo

What is a controlled vocabulary?

Controlled Vocabulary is "a list of standard terms that categorize articles based on their content (such terms will vary from database to database)" (Aromataris and Riitano, 2014). Many, but not all, controlled vocabularies are organized by hierarchies. Depending on the database, when searching a controlled vocabulary term you can choose to "explode" it. Exploding is when you search the selected term and any that fall under it in the hierarchy.

Citation: Aromataris, E., & Riitano, D. (2014). Systematic Reviews: Constructing a Search Strategy and Searching for Evidence. AJN The American Journal of Nursing, 114(5), 49. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000446779.99522.f6

Recommended Controlled Vocabulary Terms for Selected Databases

Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms
APAPsycInfo uses Psychological Index Terms as its controlled vocabulary. You can look up different terms under the Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms. This can be found by following the link and clicking on the thesaurus above the search bar. If a term can be exploded, there will be a blank check box under "Explode".

APAPsychInfo's Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms
- Disabilities: DE "Disabilities" OR DE "Disability Management" OR DE "Learning Disabilities" OR DE "Multiple Disabilities" OR DE "Reading Disabilities" OR "DE "Special Needs" OR DE "Parkinson's Disease" OR DE "Functional Status" OR DE "Emotional and Behavioral Disorders" OR DE "Intellectual Development Disorder" OR DE "Mental Disorders"
- Accommodations/Services: DE "Disability Laws" OR DE "Workers' Compensation Insurance" OR DE "Social Security" OR DE "Medicare" OR DE "Accommodation (Disabilities)" OR DE "Accessibility (Disabilities)" OR DE "Service Animals" OR DE "Rehabilitation" OR DE "Cognitive Rehabilitation" OR DE "Caregiving"
- Attitudes/Emotions: DE "Disabled (Attitudes Toward)" OR DE "Disability Discrimination"