Final answer:
Searching by subject heading offers a standardized way to locate information in academic libraries, avoiding the need to brainstorm various keywords and synonyms that an author might use to describe a topic.
Step-by-step explanation:
One benefit of searching by subject heading instead of keyword is that you don't need to think of all possible ways an author can express a topic. Subject headings, such as those used in Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), provide a standardized way to find information on a given topic because they categorize research according to specific terms recognized within academic libraries. This differs from keyword searches, where you may need to brainstorm various terms and synonyms to increase the chances of finding all relevant information. Subject searches in academic libraries and databases can simplify the research process by guiding you to resources classified under a consistent subject heading.