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

Monroe doctrine of american overlordship, The Monroe Doctrine of American o...

The Monroe Doctrine of American overlordship in the western hemisphere is a similar story. In 1819, the British proposed a joint declaration to oppose Spanish recolonisation of Sou

Poverty, what are the main determinants of poverty?

what are the main determinants of poverty?

Differentiate moral and ethics, Differentiate Moral and Ethics?  MORAL...

Differentiate Moral and Ethics?  MORAL:  Refers only to personal behavior. Refers to any aspect of human action Social conventions about right or wrong condu

Manners in america, Manners are interesting because they tend to mirror the...

Manners are interesting because they tend to mirror the power ratios between the  people  concerned. And American manners  are  popularly  supposed  to re?ect the generally egalita

Hydrology, Hydrology- It is the science which encompasses the properties, m...

Hydrology- It is the science which encompasses the properties, movement, distribution and occurrence of the waters of the earth and their association along with the environment ins

Dictionary and classified catalogues, Dictionary and Classified Catalogues ...

Dictionary and Classified Catalogues For library catalogue both its outer or physical form and the inner form are equally important. The outer forms of a library catalogue com

The tide begins to turn, why did the American cause look more helpful after...

why did the American cause look more helpful after the Battle of Saratoga?

African American experience, four specific examples of how africans resiste...

four specific examples of how africans resisted enslavement?

Mention some civic virtues, Mention some civic virtues?  Good citizen d...

Mention some civic virtues?  Good citizen demand civic virtue. It is the principle of not harming the surroundings .it also contains living peacefully, respect for others, prot

Bitches, How to fuck Bitches

How to fuck Bitches

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