Abstract

This study analyzed the structure and utilization of subject headings in the National Library of Korea Subject Headings List (NLSH) based on an analysis of subject headings assigned to 1,218,867 national bibliographies from 2003 to 2022. The findings of the study are as follows: Firstly, among all subject headings in the NLSH, there were 257,103 preferred terms, accounting for 50.2% of the total terms. Foreign language terms constituted 33% (169,466), while non-preferred terms comprised 12% (61,442). Among the preferred terms, 57,312 subject headings were used, accounting for 22.3%. However, it was observed that 54.7% (31,351) of these subject headings were assigned less than 5 times, indicating that only a small number of subject headings were frequently utilized. Secondly, the frequency of relationship indicators appeared in the order of RT, BT, and NT. The NLSH consisted of 12,602 top-level subject headings and 143,704 lowest-level subject headings, with a maximum depth of 17 levels. Thirdly, on average, 1.72 subject headings were assigned per bibliographic record. The number of subject headings assigned and the depth of the hierarchy increased for materials with more specific contents. Recent bibliographic records have been assigned more subject headings and deeper into the hierarchy of the NLSH. It was also found that the number of subject headings assigned per bibliography varied depending on the main class of KDC. Based on the findings, it is recommended to evaluate the coverage of terms in the NLSH, reorganize hierarchical relationships and depth of subject headings, and enhance the development of subdivisions within the NLSH.