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.…

This text provides a complete discussion of abstracts--their history, production, organization, publication--and of indexing. Instructions for abstracting are outlined, and standards and criteria for abstracting are stated. Management, automation, and personnel are discussed in terms of possible economies that can be derived from the introduction…

The two abstracting and indexing services are compared in regard to difference in time lag by place of publication for papers published in periodicals. (Author/PF)

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…

This report presents results from an internal evaluation conducted between September 1981 and August 1982 of abstracts published by the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system. A brief introduction describes the study methodology and reviews limitations, indicating that 526 evaluations of 349 abstracts were conducted by personnel at…

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)

FID and NFAIS are jointly preparing a machine readable inventory of information for computer publication as a directory to abstracting services of the world. The kinds of data recorded by the Services are described. A progress report and plans for the future are included. (9 references) (Author/DH)

This study surveyed abstracting policies and guidelines used by producers of bibliographic databases that aim to enhance free-text retrieval. Results indicate editors consider content of abstracts and their language as primary factors in retrieval enhancement. Most recommend that concepts and form be coordinated with controlled vocabulary…

Experimental subjects wrote abstracts of an article using a simplified version of the TEXTNET abstracting assistance software; subjects were presented with either keywords or phrases extracted automatically. Results showed considerable variation among subjects, but 37% found the keywords or phrases "quite" or "very" useful in…

An experiment was conducted based on an information service for planners run in conjunction with Geo Abstracts Limited. Forth-eight styles of abstracting journals were produced which, although based on the same source material, differed in depth of coverage, frequency of publication, content of entry, and whether an index was included. One style…

Compares "Library Literature" with "Library and Information Science Abstracts" (LISA) and outlines searching LISA on the SilverPlatter CD-ROM. Use of indexes and abstracts to aid information retrieval is explained; abstracting services are described; and five steps in writing an abstract are listed. Abstracts and annotations…

This study evaluates the "Education Resources Information Center" (ERIC), "Library and Information Science Abstracts" (LISA), and "Library Literature" (LL) databases, determining how long the databases take to enter records (indexing delay), how much duplication of effort exists among the three databases (indexing…

The Simple Index Method overcomes the difficulties in building a core list for serials in interdisciplinary fields by using multiple indexes which cover various aspects of the subject. Collection-development librarians can develop a core list when standard bibliographies or specific indexing and abstracting tools are lacking and can tailor that…

The 1973 full board meetings of the International Council of Scientific Unions Abstracting Board (ICSU AB) were held in London, at the invitation of Information Services for the Physics and Engineering Communities (INSPEC). The first part of the Proceedings refers to some activities of the board, such as working groups. Activities of ICSU AB…