A statistical measure is developed for predicting the terms from a restricted vocabulary that will be used to index a document, given that one of the index terms is known. (Author)

Two indexes in the social sciences are discussed. Both indexes were begun on the basis of a review of existing class cards and undergo continual revision and expansion. (Author/NH)

Provides an annotated listing of 23 selected subject cataloging tools to supplement the widely used Library of Congress Subject Headings, and to assist catalogers in developing related heading schemes by converting common synonyms into cross references to increase subject accessibility. (RAA)

Examines the need for cataloging of microform collections, the means of supplying this bibliographic information, and the meshing of users' and suppliers' desires to maintain bibliographic control of microform products with respect to University Microfilms International's decision to begin inputting cataloging for its products onto the OCLC…

Outlines the processes involved in improving the subject catalog at a medical library. Policy decisions concerning heading sources and revision methodology and plans for analyzing, weeding, and increasing the relevance of subject terms is discussed. The making of catalog changes and the results of catalog revision are also described. (JL)

Proposes indexing technical information by function and attribute instead of indexing by subject to increase retrieval efficiency. Reasons for the lack of accurate and comprehensive technical product information in databases and the need for an improvement in reference services are discussed. (RBF)

Reports the results of experiments using colon classification for the analysis, representation, and retrieval of primary information from the full text of documents. Recall, precision, and search length measures indicate colon classification did not perform significantly better than Boolean or simple word occurrence systems. Thirteen references…

Reports a study that examined 10 collections of mainly scientific subject areas indexed using Farradane's system of relational indexing. It compared (1) the use of relations, (2) the use of concept types, (3) the cross sections (or shape) of abstracts, and (4) the properties of "nodes." Statistical tables and graphs are included.…

Compares the user features of an in-house online search system based on automatic indexing with those of commercial search services, considering specific user types, file structure and applications, and the basic operating system environment. (FM)

Discusses three approaches to thesaurus and indexing/retrieval language maintenance for combined databases: reindexing, merging, and initial standardization. Two thesauri for a combined database are evaluated in terms of their compatibility, and indexing practices are compared. Tables and figures help illustrate aspects of the comparison. (SW)

Proposes that error rates in indexing using string index languages such as NEPHIS might be reduced at relatively low cost by having the indexer enter strings via a microcomputer system which could provide simple validation and feedback in the form of graphic displays of concept links. (Author/FM)

Describes recent attempts to make explicit connections between the indexing process and the use of the index or information retrieval system, particularly the utility-theoretic and automatic indexing models of William Cooper and Stephen Harter. Theory and performance, information storage and retrieval, search stage feedback, and indexing are also…

Designed for use with a computer-produced subject index, PRECIS assigns clerical procedures in subject heading work to computer programs. The subject headings represent a unique combination of several different characteristics, permitting several coextensive forms of a subject name for each work. Final choice amongst alternatives is made by the…

The IR systems are faced with a need to manage fuzziness and not merely to react to fuzziness. Fuzzy set theory can be used to model the indexing and retrieval processes. (BD)