Critical Reflection on Searching

What happens if you want to seek out more diverse perspectives or communities in your research, but you struggle to find where you can search?

There may be instances where a database’s or catalogue’s “controlled vocabulary” can be historically inaccurate or even perpetuate harm to the groups or topics it describes. Western Libraries recognizes that this language is upsetting, prejudiced, or outdated, and oftentimes just because a term appears in a credible or scholarly database does not mean it is appropriate.^[1]

While there are efforts to remedy more appropriate subject headings, terms, and languages, it may still be necessary to keep in mind outdated terminology while searching in Eurowestern information systems.

See how Cree-Métis librarian Jessie Loyer unpacks “Indian” still being used as a search term today:

@indigenouslibrarian

using the term “Indian” in research

♬ original sound – IndigenousLibrarian

Seeking Diverse Terminology and Languages

It is crucial to be reflective and respectful during your search process when coming up with search terms and browsing subject headings. This means asking yourself a lot of questions as you move forward with a search strategy.^[2]

See how authors Knowledge Justice in the Helping Professions use a case study on safe infant sleep to map our strategies to develop diverse search terms below:

There are other tools you might have considered to find diverse voices in the literature or elsewhere, like AI tools, but be informed that it may not retrieve the results you hope for, and may even perpetuate harm during the search process.

By broadening your vocabulary and search terms, you will be able to observe and analyze multiple worldviews, communities, ways of knowing, and social identities that will enhance your research process and critical-thinking skills!

Resources

Research Guides and Statements

• Western Libraries Statement on Problematic Language in the Library Catalogue
• Western Libraries Details of the Actions Towards More Inclusive Metadata
• Western University Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Inclusive Language Guide
• Simon Fraser University Library: Indigenous Studies Resources (Indigenous terminology)

Glossaries, Indexes, and Terms

• The Diversity and Inclusion Glossary
• Homosaurus (An International LGBTQ+ Linked Data Vocabulary)
• Respectful Terminology Platform Project: Videos and Webinars
• Stimpunks Foundation Glossary: Develop a Language in Which We Can Both Understand and Challenge the World