The author discusses information retrieval systems with particular emphasis on the assignment of descriptor terms. She first explains the method of determining terms by deriving key words from a title or abstract, a procedure that can often be carried out by a computer. After discussing the problems of derived indexing, the author explains the…

Designed for use in the reading room of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information Resources, this set of three self-instructional guides provides step-by-step instructions for locating information in the ERIC system. The first instruction sheet explains how to use the Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors to identify appropriate subject headings, or…

In order to permit systematic searching of multiple data bases to satisfy requests in interdisciplinary areas, a mapping of a portion of "Medical Subject Headings" to three other controlled vocabularies has been constructed. (Author)

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)

The inconsistency in the manner in which the various indexes index material on the subject military-industrial complex" is the research problem discussed. (MF)

The Uniterm system of coordinate indexing, developed by the Armed Services Technical Information Agency, provides a method for the organization, storage, and retrieval of information. The contents of reports are analyzed, and terms are assigned to the documents. For each term there is a card upon which the accession number of documents assigned…

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…

This report details the various search methods applicable to the ERIC database through the use of manual indexes available in paper and microfiche form. It provides examples of searches for both documents and journal articles, illustrating the use of ERIC thesaurus terms, subject descriptor/identifier indexes on microfiche, paper indexes, the…

Three indexes to a collection of 3204 documents in the field of chemistry were test searched. The indexes are a keyword from title index without added keywords, a keyword from title index with added keywords, and a single access point per document alphabetic subject index. The three indexes were searched by 14 graduate chemistry students with 66…

Presents uniform and efficient approach for processing all truncated query terms in information retrieval which requires one disk access to obtain from the permuted dictionary all strings represented by truncated term. The problem of the overhead storage required to implement the permuted dictionary is discussed. Fifteen references are provided.…

Characterizes types of indexing programs used by Research Publications, Inc. and describes provision of access to four major projects: "The Official Washington Post Index" (provides access to newspaper and microfilm edition); "The Eighteenth Century"; "The Declassified Documents Reference System" (ongoing fiche…

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.…

Suggests a new ranking scheme especially adapted for hypertext environments in order to produce more effective retrieval results and still use Boolean search strategies. Topics include Boolean ranking schemes; single-term indexing and term weighting; fuzzy set theory extension; and citation indexing. (64 references) (Author/LRW)

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,…