Browse Subjects

Overview

The Browse Subjects section is essentially the electronic equivalent of the Outline of Cultural Materials (OCM).  It consists of two parts: The A-Z Index and Browse Subject Categories.  In both sections, each OCM Subject Code links to a detailed definition of the subject, as well as a list of related codes. 

As discussed earlier, HRAF analysts use OCM Subject Codes (OCMs) to index each paragraph of our full-text documents.  Using these codes allows you to search for a concept rather than just a word.  This style of searching circumvents the limitations of traditional word searches, which do not find synonyms, misspelled words, or words in other languages. 

A-Z Index

The A-Z Index lists words or phrases along with their associated OCM Subject Codes.  Those words or phrases in upper-case are the titles of actual OCMs; those in lower-case are other words and phrases that people may look for.  As the figure shows, “MYTHOLOGY,773” is an actual subject code, while “Mythical Ages, 773” is a common phrase that refers to the same subject code.  Thus, if you were searching for “Mythical Ages,” you would search with the subject code for “MYTHOLOGY.”  Please realize that this index is not an exhaustive list of possible words or phrases.  Any two OCM Subjects can be paired or grouped with any other in the Text Search section. 

(For more information, see "Additional Information" below) 

Instructions – A-Z Index:

1.      Click on the “Browse” button at the top of the screen, and then on “Browse Subjects in the left-hand margin.

2.      Find “Mythology” in the A-Z Index.  While scrolling through the index, notice the terms in upper- and lower-case.   

OCM Subject Category

Clicking on a OCM code in the index will take you to the OCM category.  Here, you will find a description of the subject code, cross-references with related subjects, and (if it is a sub-category) a link to the major subject category.  The OCM’s description is important because it will give you a better idea of whether that category will yield the information you are looking for in a search.  Please note that clicking “eHRAF Ethnography Documents with this OCM” will launch a search for that OCM. 

Major Categories and Sub-Categories

Figure 8: Major Subject Category - Click to see image

Major subject categories in eHRAF end in “0,” while sub-categories end in numbers other than “0” or are 4 digits long (and so may end in “10”).  Thus, Mythology (773) is found under the major heading of Religious Beliefs (770). 

When searching with OCM codes, it is best to use the most specific category possible.  This is because our analysts only use major category codes when the information does not fit into one of the sub-categories.  Thus, a paragraph on mythology will only be coded under Mythology and not under Religious Beliefs.  Later on, in the Text Search section, we will learn how to search for all sub-categories in a major category at once. 

Browse Subject Categories

Figure 9: OCM Subject Hierarchy - Click to see image

Browse Subject Categories lists all of the OCM categories, both major and sub-categories, in hierarchical order.  All together, there are 83 major categories and over 700 sub-categories, covering many aspects of social and cultural life. Thus, in the 770 section, we find “Religious Beliefs” as the major category because its OCM Code ends in “0” (770).  Below it, we find all of the narrower sub-categories for “Religious Beliefs,” such as “Mythology” (773) and “Sacred Objects and Places” (778).  Familiarity with this hierarchy is useful when searching, as it helps you find more specific OCMs for your topic of interest.

Instructions – Browse Subject Categories:

1.      Scroll to the top of the screen and click on “Browse Subject Categories.”

2.      Scroll down to the 770's taking note of the breadth of information available in eHRAF.  At the 770's, you will find the same hierarchy as that found in the “Religious Beliefs” listing, but solely by category name. 

3.       Click on “773 Mythology” to open the OCM category.  Once you have looked through the description and cross-references, click on “Religious Beliefs, 770” at the top of the screen to scan the major category description and its listing of sub-categories.