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

Baroque Era, What was the short-term significance of the social & economic ...

What was the short-term significance of the social & economic revolutions taking place during the Baroque?

Baroque art, I need a report on Baroque Art. Can you please assist me for B...

I need a report on Baroque Art. Can you please assist me for Baroque Art report for about 2500 words?

Options for research topics, I want help on the following research topics t...

I want help on the following research topics topics are relative to : • Education • Social welfare policy • Health care • Crime • Marriage • Transportation/urban planning • Econ

Essay, I would like to know how do I start a essay papper

I would like to know how do I start a essay papper

Britain’s 1688 revolution, Britain's 1688 revolution : The 1688 Revolution,...

Britain's 1688 revolution : The 1688 Revolution, frequently termed as the 'Glorious Revolution of 1688', finished the reign of James II and ushered in the reign of William III and

Sociocultural anthropology architecture questions, Do your expert provide S...

Do your expert provide Sociocultural Anthropology Architecture Questions assignment help? I need urgent help in my college assignment, Let me know cost of report and each questions

Filing order - sears list, Filing Order   Filing  of entries of SLSH fo...

Filing Order   Filing  of entries of SLSH follows the ALA Filing Rules (1980). All headings are interfiled disregarding all punctuations. Headings with modifiers given in round

Uses of bilingual and multilingual dictionaries, Bilingual and Multilingual...

Bilingual and Multilingual Dictionaries There are bilingual and multilingual dictionaries, a good number of translating dictionaries pertaining to various foreign languages a

Technology and Society, These essays should be a minimum of five paragraphs...

These essays should be a minimum of five paragraphs in length each. They should contain a clear thesis statement in the first paragraph (an answer to the question!). Make sure your

What did each type of information reveal, This assignment is all about corn...

This assignment is all about corn. The word "corn" is actually from the Old World and means "grain." When the New World was "discovered" by the Europeans, corn was widely grown by

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