Keyword Use in Scientific Communication: a focus on the disciplinary sector M-STO/08 (HIST-04/C)

Abstract

This article examines the role of keywords in scientific communication, with a specific focus on the disciplinary field HIST-04/C (formerly M-STO/08). Introduced in academic publishing in the 1970s, keywords have become essential tools for enhancing the discoverability, indexing, and dissemination of scholarly publications. The analysis highlights both the advantages and challenges involved in keyword selection, also comparing them to subject indexing systems in terms of recall and precision, while pointing out the lack of shared guidelines for their formulation. The article advocates for closer collaboration among authors, publishers, librarians, and the academic community to develop best practices and controlled vocabularies. It also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence and institutional repositories, emphasizing the need for targeted policies and recognizing the librarians’ contribution to keyword management. Finally, the article underscores the importance of keywords not only for research dissemination but also for engaging non-academic audiences and supporting the university’s third mission.