Factors governing subject indexing systems, Humanities

Assignment Help:

Factors Governing Subject Indexing Systems 

There are many factors that govern the design of subject heading systems. Some of the more important ones are: 

  1. content analysis of documents to select the right key words that represent their specific subject; 
  2. rendering the selected key words in a logical sequence according to prescribed principles and postulates; 
  3. establishing main and added entries in standard formats; 
  4. provision of  cross references to  subject concepts to obtain as  many relevant documents as are available in the library through catalogue or index file; and 
  5. arrangement of entries. 

Content analysis of documents is totally  independent of any technique of indexing. Skills required in this process  are the subject background of the indexer on the subject(s) indexed and the ability to read/scan documents fairly quickly for the purpose of identifying appropriate key words to represent the thought contents of documents. 

To know what a document is about, some of the aids available in the documents themselves are: Titles  and sub-titles, if any; content page(s) with all the details of chapters listed; foreword, preface; conspectus; introduction;  the text - a quick scanning of the body of the text; and the index. Sometimes the  captions in tables, diagrams,  etc. and book jacket serve as an useful  aid. In addition to all these aids, dictionaries, encyclopaedias; handbooks, guides etc. are useful  consulting aids to know the subject(s). It may also be necessary on occasions to consult subject experts to know subject ramifications and their importance. 

For the rest  of the factors mentioned above, indexing systems usually provide the necessary guidelines, rules and procedures, backed up by principles, postulates, etc. which would explain the designer's logic and philosophy of approach. The understanding of all these and their proper assimilation by indexers would ensure a fairly good quality subject index. 


Related Discussions:- Factors governing subject indexing systems

American manners and habitus, The social arrangements of the Old South wer...

The social arrangements of the Old South were also associated with the prevalent code of ‘honour' (Wyatt-Brown 1984), and questions of honour were commonly settled by the du

The age of great dreams of American in the 19600s , Drawing upon two major ...

Drawing upon two major conclusions from the author, explain why the article on the Nacirema people exemplifies the social science perspective.

Compare and contrast reconstructionism- progressivism, 1. What measures wou...

1. What measures would you recommend for reforming and restructuring the public schools?  Explain.  2. Discuss the contributions of one of the following individua

Drainage patterns, Drainage patterns- As per to the configuration of the c...

Drainage patterns- As per to the configuration of the channels, drainage systems can reduce into one of many categories termed as drainage patterns. Drainage patterns depend upon

Usmarc format, USMARC Format There are three USMARC communication form...

USMARC Format There are three USMARC communication formats:  US MARC format for bibliographic data (UFBD)  US MARC format for authority data (UFAD)  US MARC format fo

Yearbooks - library management, Yearbooks Yearbooks are also called as...

Yearbooks Yearbooks are also called as annuals. As it is evident from the literal meaning of the term, a yearbook is a serial publication issued every year. It is called a com

Pre-coordinate indexing systems, Pre-Coordinate Indexing Systems   Pre-...

Pre-Coordinate Indexing Systems   Pre-coordinate indexing systems are conventional systems mostly found in printed indexes. In this type of system, a document is represented in

Kohlberg vs. Gilligan, Lawrence Kohlberg’s research was grounded in Piaget...

Lawrence Kohlberg’s research was grounded in Piagetian theory and he sought to discover how children and people develop moral reasoning. His theory is characterized by a sequence o

Coverage by kind of documents - indexing periodicals, Coverage by Kind of D...

Coverage by Kind of Documents I & A periodicals are also devoted to specific kinds of documents such as periodical articles, patents, theses, conference proceedings, translati

Ecologically sustainability, Ecologically sustainable is defined as the mai...

Ecologically sustainable is defined as the maintenance of life support systems to achieve a healthy geophysiological continent, and the achievement of a natural extinction rate (Su

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd