Broad subject headings which have been assigned to each of the 86 data bases available or announced on the five major on-line search systems--Lockheed, SDC, BRS, NIM, and New York Times Information Bank--are arranged alphabetically followed by the name(s) of the appropriate data base(s). (JPF)

This paper discusses examples of searching vocabularies, i.e., lists of terms which have been prepared with the online searcher, rather than the indexer, in mind. These lists are categorized as: enhanced thesauri or subject heading lists, synonym listings, index term listings, and merged vocabularies. Eight references are provided. (EJS)

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…

Discusses the effectiveness of using author-supplied indexing to increase subject control in information retrieval, and describes a study which compared author indexing for articles published in "American Mathematical Society" journals to indexing of the same articles by an editor of "Mathematical Reviews." Nine references are…

Describes the use of fixed-length character strings for controlling the size of indexing vocabularies in information retrieval systems. An evaluation of digram and trigram encoding, using the Cranfield document test collection, is presented and the results are compared with the hashing and the right-hand truncation of the terms. (Author)

Following a discussion of derivative versus assignment indexing, use of roles, and concept behind Preserved Concept Indexing System, features of PERMDEX (microcomputer program to assist in creation of permuted printed index) are described including indexer input and prompts, the shunting algorithm, and sorting and printing routines. Fourteen…

This technical report describes a proposed subject retrieval function for the OCLC Online Union Catalog and examines the inadequacies of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) for the provision of subject access. The function described uses a non-Boolean search approach over data elements present in the MARC record format. Centered around the…

Analyzes the formal properties, structural consequences, similarities, and differences of link indicators, brackets, and cohesion separators in the query languages employed in information retrieval. Eleven figures, a 32-item reference list, and appendices on Extended Backus Notation and the formal definition of the Formal Relevance Language are…

Describes the development of a knowledge-based system, REX, that creates subject bibliographies by downloading reference material from an online bibliographic service. The expert systems architecture is explained, use of Prolog is described, and creation of the subject knowledge base and an author index are discussed. (10 references) (LRW)

In this second of five course installments, key terms in an up-to-date definition of "subject access"--access, collection of items, search words, vocabulary, index or catalog records, related words or clues, file--are identified, and their part in providing subject access in both traditional and computer-based services are discussed.…

Presents a statistical learning approach to assigning controlled index terms that consists of the learning process and the indexing process. A learning feedback technique is also introduced. Experimental results show that the statistical learning approach and the learning feedback technique are practical means to automatic indexing of controlled…

This article illustrates similarities between two different types of full-text databases--Superindex, Harvard Business Review/Online--and uses them as arena to demonstrate search and display applications of full-text. The selection of logical operators, full-text search strategies, and keywords and Bibliographic Retrieval Service's Occurrence…

This guide to searching for "America: History and Life," a bibliographic database offering resources on topics in social sciences, humanities, and arts in the United States and Canada, covers subject scope, selection and coverage, document types and records, combined entries, subject indexing, personal names, geographic names, historical periods,…

The low rate of relevant titles (fewer than 50 percent) retrieved by online searching of keywords in titles in study conducted at the Mechanized Information Center, Ohio State University, is attributed to three sources: titles themselves, user ignorance of subject vocabulary, and general language problems. Eight references are cited. (EJS)

Describes three major features of treatment of paradigmatic thesaural information in microcomputer-based concept network management system: use of simple graphic displays of thesaural or paradigmatic information (linktypes); use of thesaural information to generate indirect entries; capability of customizing index displays, including thesaural…