Descriptors are disciplinary terms the ERIC database creators use to identify the major topics covered within a particular article, book or item.   Each full ERIC record has descriptors listed in the Descriptor field. 

Pay attention to these descriptors as you search.  Descriptors can suggest other keywords you can use in your searching, or identify a more exact disciplinary term for the concepts you are seeking.

The Thesaurus is an index to all the ERIC descriptors, pointing you to broader and narrower terms you can use in your searching.