Using common vocabularies is a powerful way of describing related items that assists in data discovery. They are often referred to as Controlled Vocabularies, which are maintained within a community to describe commonly-used terms within that discipline. They will most often consist of a name, description and a definition. The description and definition will also in, some cases, be available in multiple languages so that a consistent way of describing something in maintained across different countries.
Having a standardised list facilitates the discovery of relevant data. In the example below, standardising ‘face-to-face interview’ as a controlled vocabulary term means that researchers do not have to include alternative terms – e.g. ‘in-person interviews’, ‘personal interviews’, ‘at-home interviews’, etc. – in their search.
E.g. DDI Alliance Controlled Vocabulary for Mode of Collection:
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