subjectfield

Subject field is a general term used to refer to a domain of knowledge that an educational program, research project, or publication relates to. It denotes the primary area of inquiry and the set of topics, questions, and methods characteristic of that area. In libraries and academic databases, the term is used as a metadata category to classify content for retrieval and analysis.

A subject field is related to but not identical with a discipline. A discipline is a recognized academic area with a history, theories, and professional norms; a subject field may be broader, more practical, or cross-disciplinary. The phrase “field of study” is often used in curricula and funding proposals to indicate the main topic or research focus.

Classification and standards play a key role in assigning content to subject fields. Libraries use subject headings and classification schemes such as Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and Dewey Decimal Classification. Research analytics employ broader field schemes like OECD Fields of Science and Technology (FST), Scopus All Scientific Subject Categories (ASJC), and Web of Science categories to group and compare works across disciplines.

Examples of subject fields span the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, including physics, molecular biology, economics, anthropology, and more interdisciplinary areas such as cognitive science, environmental science, data science, and urban studies. In higher education and funding, assignments to subject fields help define degree programs, evaluate research impact, and guide information retrieval.

Limitations include boundary ambiguity and rapid evolution, especially for interdisciplinary and emerging areas. As knowledge grows, taxonomies adapt, often requiring reclassification and cross-referencing to reflect current practice.