The document discusses the complexities of mediated search in information studies, highlighting user misunderstandings and the need for disambiguation in search queries. It examines the control of vocabulary in searches, particularly in sensitive topics like family violence, and how different terminologies can reflect political stances. The piece emphasizes the challenges librarians face in bridging user intent and the vastness of available information online.

1. search terms and other confusionsAnne WelshDepartment of Information Studies

3. MEDIATED SEARCH

4. NOT *ALWAYS* A POSITIVE IMAGE

6. “Are you sure this thing understands apostrophes?”

7. WHAT THE LIBRARIAN SAWCONTROLLING THE [SEARCH] VOCABULARY

8. “I’m looking for information on types of weed”

9. “Are you a keen gardener?”

10. User interrogation for disambiguation

11. Argot / Homonyms

12. Synonyms

13. Synonyms

14. Catalogue rules, OK?

15. “Fuzzy” / Soft Terms

16. “What does she mean, it’s not on the Internet?”

17. The Internet is vast, with infinite relationships

18. SKOS attempts to map these

19. Who controls the web vocabulary?LCSH (above): FAMILY VIOLENCE (neutral tone)Feminist Library: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (political statement)Are we “victims” or “survivors” of violence?