This document discusses concept blocking strategy, an intuitive method for searching topics that breaks them down into major concepts represented by search terms. It recommends using subject terms from databases and considering related terms from thesauri to broaden searches. Search strings should use AND between concepts to narrow the topic and OR between similar terms, while removing concepts broadens the topic. An example search string is provided to coordinate control of unmanned aerial vehicles using subject terms from Compendex.

1. SEARCHING:
CONCEPT BLOCKING STRATEGY
USED WITH SUBJECT TERMS

2. Topic Anatomy
CONCEPT 1
CONCEPT 2 CONCEPT 3
• Each topic comprises an intersection of multiple concepts or knowledge
domains
• Concept Blocking simply seeks to identify those concepts up front and
use them in a search

3. “Concept Blocking”
CONCEPT 1
Alt. Subjects
CONCEPT 2
Alt. Subjects
CONCEPT 3
Alt. Subjects
• This is an intuitive method of searching, where you break down your topic into
major concepts and represent each concept with a search term
• When using subject terms, synonyms are not needed, but consider using the
database’s thesaurus to find related subject terms to broaden search
• Use AND statements between successive search terms, OR statements
between similar subject terms
• Add a concept to narrow the topic, remove a concept to broaden it

4. • Topic: Coordinated control of UAVs
• Search string: (({unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)} OR {Reconnaissance
aircraft}) WN CV) AND (({Aircraft Control} OR {Control Theory} OR
{Collision Avoidance}) WN CV) AND (coordination OR distributed)
EXAMPLE (using Compendex Subject Terms)
Unmanned
Aerial Vehicles
(UAV)
Reconnaissance
Aircraft
Aircraft Control
Control Theory
Collision Avoidance
Coordination
Distributed
Note that this is a hybrid search containing both subject terms and keywords, since
there are not subject terms for the generic concept of coordination in this sense

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