Publication Archive

FAQ for Taggers

FAQ for Taggers

We're delighted with the big response to our call for volunteers to add "tags" (brief descriptor terms) to articles in the Publication Archive! The more members participating and the more tags, the closer we are to developing a strong dental informatics vocabulary.

Some of you have questions about getting started with article tagging. Here are some simple guidelines:

1. Where do I find articles to tag?
2. Should I read the entire article? Where can I find it?
3. Does it matter if another member has already read tagged the article?
4. How do I create my own tags for the article?
5. Any tips for choosing really good tags?

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1. Where do I find articles to tag?

   By searching the DIOC Publication Archive (accessible from link in left-hand menu on any DIOC page). Search for keywords—terms or phrases associated with topics you’re interested in. Or search for an author or an article title you already know about.

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2. Should I read the entire article? Where can I find it?

   Ideally, yes—read the entire article so you can be a knowledgeable tagger. Unfortunately, the cost of journal subscriptions is beyond the DIOC budget, but there are some options for free full text.

   When you click on an article title link in the search results, you’ll see the full Publication Archive record. Click on the Link to PubMed and check the icons for full-text availability on the right. There may be one for PubMed Central, the US National Institutes of Health free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. There may be a publisher’s icon for free text. If there is no free option, is there an icon indicating availability of full text through your own institution’s subscriptions?

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3. Does it matter if another member has already read tagged the article?

   No, as long as you choose different tags for that article. (See #4 below.) All original tags automatically enter the tagger in the weekly DIOC T-shirt drawing.

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4. How do I create my own tags for the article?

   After reading the article or abstract, identify the main topics or concepts in it that seem important to you and think of terms or short phrases to describe them.

   In the record screen, below the abstract, look at the MeSH terms (descriptors added by indexers at the US National Library of Medicine). Also look at any terms suggested by other members.

   If you don't see your term(s) or phrase(s), add it yourself in the Add new terms window. Remember to separate multiple terms with semi-colons (;).

   It doesn't matter whether others have already tagged the article or not as long as your tag is different from theirs. It can even be a synonym for an existing tag or MeSH term.

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5. Any tips for choosing really good tags?

   Yes. Two:

   • Be specific! If an article discusses the format of electronic dental records, "record format" could be a useful tag. But "format" would not be a very useful tag because it's such a general term.
   • Don't take things too seriously! Dental Informatics is important work, but tagging should be spontaneous and move quickly. Submit your best ideas, then go on to another paper. Seeing what other people have suggested and making your own contribution should leave you with a feeling of satisfaction, not frustration.

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Last update: Feb. 27, 2010
Authored by: Pat Weiss (6 ), DIOC Librarian

 

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