What are "use terms" typically used for?

"Use terms" are primarily used in information organization and retrieval systems to offer synonyms for preferred term names. This practice is essential for ensuring that different terminology that users might employ to describe the same concept is accommodated within a cataloging and indexing system. By including use terms, a system can effectively bridge the gap between the various ways that information might be queried by users, enhancing search effectiveness and ensuring that users can find the information they need even if they do not know the precise preferred term.

For example, in a database related to mental health, if "psychotherapy" is the preferred term, use terms such as "talk therapy" or "counseling" can be included so that users who search those terms will still retrieve relevant results. This helps in making the database more user-friendly and accessible.