Controlled Vocabulary in Information Retrieval

A controlled vocabulary in information retrieval is a set of standardized words or terms used to organize and categorize information consistently. It ensures clarity and uniformity when searching or indexing content, making it easier to find relevant items. For example, databases might use specific terms like "car" instead of synonyms like "automobile" or "vehicle," which helps users retrieve all related information efficiently. Controlled vocabularies improve search accuracy by reducing ambiguity and ensuring that everyone uses the same language to describe topics.