Uncovers issues in indexing that need scientific research, including the cognitive processes of indexers and users; vocabulary control; how best to supplement human indexers' intellectual effort with computer capabilities; structure and layout of indexes on the printed page and on the computer screen; and evaluation of indexes. (Contains 21…

Traces the development of "The Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms" from its roots as a term list through six editions to a sophisticated searching and indexing tool, and describes the process for determining controlled vocabulary and forms of display. Features designed especially to assist novice users and nonpsychologists are also…

The problem of determining the optimal cross-reference structure for a given index and for a given community of users is discussed. A cross-reference structure is represented as a graph in which the nodes are index terms and the links are relations between index terms. In order to clarify the concept of 'level of cross-referencing' the…

THIS PAPER IS A CASE STUDY OF THE ADOPTION BY GEOSCIENCE ABSTRACTS OF UNIDEK, A COMPUTER-COMPILED SYSTEMATIC SUBJECT INDEX BASED ON THE UNIVERSAL DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION (UDC). EVENTS LEADING TO A DECISION TO ADOPT THE SYSTEM, SOME THEORY OF INDEXES, PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN CONVERSION, AND SOME OF THE RESULTS ACHIEVED ARE REVIEWED. UNIDEK MAKES…

This experiment used five index languages to form nine different index files to the same collection of documents. Each index term, in each language, was treated in two ways: as an independent English term, and as a coded entry in a faceted-type thesaurus which specified relationships between terms. The performance effect of the thesaurus was then…

This report discusses the problem of the meansings of words used in information retrieval systems, and shows how semantic tools can aid in the communication which takes place between indexers and searchers via index terms. After treating the differing use of semantic tools in different types of systems, two tools (classification tables and…

The purpose of this research is to investigate indexing issues that pertain to the development of digital libraries, including: the identification of sublanguage vocabulary; domain-specific indexing; and other indexing tools. Thesauri are needed for digital libraries in order to improve end-user access. To demonstrate the importance of thesauri to…

Reports on work at the University of California, Berkeley, on the design and development of English-language indices to metadata vocabularies. Discusses the significance of unfamiliar metadata and describes the Entry Vocabulary Module which helps searchers to be more effective and increases the return on the original investment in generating…

This programmed course consists of four lessons which cover the general principles of indexing, the specific methods of coordinate indexing, and the use of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) Thesaurus. In the first volume the five appendices contain: (1) an index to the major themes of the course, (2) some definitions of form…

This volume contains the first two lessons of a course in subject indexing based upon the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) Thesaurus, Lesson 1 is an introduction to indexing, containing definitions and concepts related to the theory of indexing and information retrieval as well as an introduction to the ERIC Thesaurus. Lesson 2 is…

This document is the last of a series of eight reports of a project undertaken to (1) investigate the ways in which the National Agricultural Library (NAL) could utilize existing bibliographic data bases, (2) define the problems associated with efficient utulization of these data bases, and (3) develop approaches to solving these problems by…

An indexer faces unique challenges when the genre consists of biographical material written for children. The narrative prose style demands vividly descriptive indexing terms, but the youthful audience requires a control of vocabulary and a clear, simple presentation. The literature of library and information science yields a few sources on the…

This Environmental Terminology Index or Thesaurus was developed to help meet the urgent need for world-wide communication on practical as well as basic environmental problems. This working draft of the Index includes terms in the areas of physical sciences, technology, earth sciences, social sciences, biology, and ecology. This edition of the…

This Environmental Terminology Index or Thesaurus was developed to help meet the urgent need for world-wide communication on practical as well as basic environmental problems. This working draft of the Index includes terms in the areas of physical sciences, social sciences, earth sciences, biology, and ecology. This edition of the thesaurus…

A listing of terms relative to exceptional child education is provided with selective definitions, similar term groupings, and usage notes. All terms are described as approved descriptors of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) Thesaurus with particular need to the ERIC Clearinghouse on Exceptional Children. (RD)