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

Heading - purpose of catalogue entry, HEADING   The Heading is the esse...

HEADING   The Heading is the essence of a catalogue entry. It is the main 'access point for document. For a document, we decide first the heading under which the description ca

Vocabulary control - meaning and need, Meaning and Need   The term  'Vo...

Meaning and Need   The term  'Vocabulary control' refers to a limited set of teal that must be used to index documents, and to search for these documents, in a particular syste

#1066, who will be the king in 1066

who will be the king in 1066

Author approach - author catalogue, Author Approach   Of the three appr...

Author Approach   Of the three approaches, author approach is most common. There are several reasons for it. The first of these is that the author's name is an easily identifia

What is meant by disaster, What is meant by Disaster? Give an example.  ...

What is meant by Disaster? Give an example.  A disaster does not take place unless a seriously disruptive event coincides with a state of insufficient preparation. Instance: Th

Procedure for implementing to prevent accidents in mines, In August 1994, e...

In August 1994, eleven miners were killed in an explosion in the underground coal mine at Moura in Queensland, Australia. The mine was owned and operated by BHP Coal. A commission

Philosophy of the emotions, Philosophy of the Emotions: The feelings are at...

Philosophy of the Emotions: The feelings are at the centre of our lives and for improved or worse imbue them with much of their significance. The philosophical problems stirred up

Systematic or enumerative branch of bibliography, Systematic or Enumerative...

Systematic or Enumerative This kind of bibliography deals with the enumeration and classification of books. It also takes care of the assembling of bibliographical entries int

..st alban, explain why it was difficult to be a christian at the time of a...

explain why it was difficult to be a christian at the time of alban ?

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