Reviews the state of the art in automatic indexing, concentrating on the literature from 1968 to 1973. (Author/PF)

This investigation shows why and how an artificially created scientific language finds it impossible to keep pace with current developments and thus points to the source of strength of natural language. (Author)

Methods of automatically generating controlled subject headings and classifications from free indexing in the INSPEC data base were evaluated. (PF)

The development of the INSPEC vocabulary system which comprises a unified indexing and classification scheme is described together with the reasons for its adoption. (Author)

Outlines principles and methods for indexing a series of contributions from many authors treating diverse topics. (PF)

Describes an automatic display system which has been developed for the editing of concept subnetworks within a relational index and which employs only a floppy diskette drive and a PET 2001 microcomputer. Appendices on Farradane's Nine Relations and on the Graphic Editing System Commands and a reference list are included. (Author/JL)

Proposes that the major criteria for handling compound words should rest upon their orthography (physical form), lexicography (dictionary definition), and semantics, with special attention given to possible homographs. BS 5723 is criticized for failing to pay sufficient attention to the requirements of mechanized systems. Thirty-one references are…

The index term input to three information retrieval systems has been analyzed in detail in order to form the input to a completely computerized simulation of an information retrieval system. The paper reports that, with certain reservations, index terms conform in general with the Bradford distribution. (Author)

Describes a study that examined the rates of use of descriptors in the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) system during 1966-86 to determine whether certain levels of terms were used more than others and whether patterns of use were similar among hierarchies in the ERIC Thesaurus. (10 references) (LRW)

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…

Describes research designed to improve automatic pre-coordinate term indexing by applying language analysis techniques to identify term sources in requests, and to generate variant expressions of concepts involved for document text searching. Text analysis, term extraction, variant generation, and retrieval trial are highlighted. Thirteen…

Results of workshops focusing on the indexing process conducted by Aslib Informatics Group and its predecessor the Co-ordinate Indexing Group are reported, noting seminars held in 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1981. Indexing techniques and subject words chosen for journal articles are appended. (EJS)

Discusses the effect of including relevance data on the calculation of term discrimination values in bibliographic databases. Algorithms that calculate the ability of index terms to discriminate between relevant and non-relevant documents are described and tested. The results are discussed in terms of the relationship between term frequency and…

Investigation of retrieval performance of controlled vocabulary derived from natural language terms in tables of contents and book indexes assumed that controlled vocabulary representative of users' queries should adequately represent documents' contents. Queries were indexed using Library of Congress Subject Headings (LSCH), Dewey Decimal…

Describes the development and evaluation of a new classification system for fiction which is based on an analysis of users' formulations of needs. Problems of concept identification (author's intention, citation order, vocabulary control, and choice of access terms) are highlighted. Examples of questions used in retrieval tests and 20 references…