Reviews contributions by scholars and institutions in the fields of classification, subject headings, thesauri, indexing, abstracting, and automatic classification and indexing. Also included are works exploring the theoretical foundations of subject analysis and the history of indexing and abstracting. There are 111 references. (RAA)

A statistical method of drawing index terms or "highlights" from text is presented that uses no stop list, stem or other language- and domain-specific components, allowing operation in any domain or language with minimal modification. Some experimental results are presented, showing operation in six different languages. (67 references)…

This research reports an algorithmic approach to the automatic generation of thesauri for electronic community systems. The techniques used include term filtering, automatic indexing, and cluster analysis. The Worm Community System, used by molecular biologists studying the nematode worm C. elegans, was used as the testbed for this research.…

Summarizes the historical development, functions, and changing nature of secondary information services, with emphasis on abstracting and indexing services. (JL)

The SALOMON project automatically summarizes Belgian criminal cases to improve access to existing and future court decisions. This article gives background information about the texts of the cases and describes the output, design models, and architecture of the SALOMON system. Evaluation of 700 criminal cases demonstrates that the algorithms have…

Describes the Central Abstracting and Indexing Service of the American Petroleum Institute. (RAA)

Discusses automatic indexing methods and describes the development of a prototype computerized abstractor's assistant. Highlights include the text network management system, TEXNET; phrase selection that follows indexing; phrase display, including Boolean capabilities; results of preliminary testing; and availability of TEXNET software. (LRW)

Discusses the connection between the fields of terminology and information science and demonstrates the importance of linguistics, in particular the theory of terminology, in the automation of such information processes as classification, indexing, and abstracting. Fourteen references are cited. (Author/EJS)

Describes a framework for building "story traces" (compact global views of a narrative) and "story projects" (selections of key elements of a narrative) and their applications in text understanding and classification. The resulting "abstract story traces" provide a compact view of the underlying narrative's key…

Reviews the factors to be considered in evaluating abstracts. Types of abstracts, content, length, writing style, comprehensive criteria for abstracts, readability, readability testing, compatibility with ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards, and informativeness are among the topics covered. (12 references) (KRN)

Reports on study analyzing 13 abstracting and indexing (A&I) operations in order to ascertain those steps in specific processes that added value (i.e., were of benefit to user in making choices from information displayed). The user-driven/value-added model and a summary of value-added processes in A&I services are highlighted. (11…

Investigates journal and journal article overlap of secondary information services in the field of criminology. Clusters of journals obtained from a study of citations are compared with the measures of overlap patterns, and conclusions are drawn about ways to improve services. (Author/FM)

Describes a study that illustrates the lack of bibliographic control of scientific research in Nigeria and discusses the causes underlying this situation. The formation of a national bibliographic association to coordinate bibliographic activities in Nigeria and solicit funding from international organizations is suggested. (CLB)

Discusses the use of thesauri in automatic indexing and describes the development of a prototype computerized abstractor's assistant. Topics addressed include TEXNET, a text network management system; the use of TEXNET for abstracting; the structure and use of a thesaurus for abstracting in TEXNET; and weighted terms. (Contains 26 references.)…

As the use of information and the means to find it change due to computer and communication network technology and the advancement of online computer searching, abstracting and indexing services must decide which information services they intend to supply. (CWM)