Theory of subject analysis : A sourcebook (1985)
0.00
0.0027093915 = product of:
0.008128175 = sum of:
0.008128175 = weight(_text_:a in 3622) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
0.008128175 = score(doc=3622,freq=48.0), product of:
0.05209492 = queryWeight, product of:
1.153047 = idf(docFreq=37942, maxDocs=44218)
0.045180224 = queryNorm
0.15602624 = fieldWeight in 3622, product of:
6.928203 = tf(freq=48.0), with freq of:
48.0 = termFreq=48.0
1.153047 = idf(docFreq=37942, maxDocs=44218)
0.01953125 = fieldNorm(doc=3622)
0.33333334 = coord(1/3)
- Abstract
- Definition and Scope For the purpose of this reader, subject analysis is understood to encompass vocabulary structuring and subject indexing. Vocabulary structuring refers to the constructing of tools, such as classifications, subject heading lists, and thesauri, designed to facilitate the organization and retrieval of information. These tools, though called by different names, are similar in that they structure or control the basic vocabulary of a subject index language by 1) stipulating terms that may be used in the classing or indexing of documents and 2) displaying semantic relationships, such as hierarchy and synonymy, that obtain between these terms. They differ in the kinds of terms and relationships they recognize and in the manner in which these are displayed. Subject indexing refers to the application of a vocabulary, which may be more or less well structured, to indicate the content or aboutness of documents. Traditionally subject indexing limits its domain to only certain types of documents, such as passages within books (back-of-book indexing) or periodical articles, and the expression it uses to only certain types of strings, for example, descriptors or index terms as opposed to subject headings or class numbers. However, in a generalized and more modern sense, subject indexing refers to the indication of the theme or topic of any document, indeed any retrieval artifact, by any meaningful string of alphanumeric characters. The value of construing the meaning of subject analysis broadly is threefold: it permits comparing a variety of approaches to subject analysis; it permits generalizing about these approaches at a relatively high descriptive level, so that principles and objectives are shown in relief; and, most importantly perhaps, it permits a unified view of the traditional and information scientific approaches to subject analysis.
Criteria for Selection In selecting the writings to be included in this reader, we have followed the criteria listed below: 1. Theoretical emphasis. Our focus is an theoretical and philosophical aspects rather than practical or technical considerations. In a number of cases, where several authors have written an the same subject or idea or expressed similar thoughts, the originator of the idea, if this could be determined, was selected. 2. Significance and impact. Our most important criterion is the significance of a particular piece or the contribution that it has made in the field of subject analysis. The impact of the ideas or concepts an subsequent practice in subject analysis has also been considered. 3. Perspicuity. Where multiple choices were available an a particular topic or area, our tendency was to exclude the writings that are obscure or highly technical and would require a high degree of tech nical sophistication an the part of the reader. Comprehensibility and clarity of style were often our guide. Based an the criteria stated above, the following types of writings have generally been excluded: review articles, the how-to-do-it type of writings, and textbook materials. In a way, it would probably be easier to defend the writings that have been included than to justify the exclusions. In a small volume containing writings chosen from a vast amount of available material, it is virtually impossible to arrive at a collection that will satisfy every reader. Each person has his or her own preferences or criteria. Inevitably, personal bias comes into play in assembling such a reader. At least, we hope that in this case the collective bias of three individuals rather than one has helped to provide a certain degree of balance. A number of writings originally selected for inclusion were omitted because of space limitation or failure to secure permission to reprint.
- Content
- Eine exzellente (und durch die Herausgeber kommentierte) Zusammenstellung und Wiedergabe folgender Originalbeiträge: CUTTER, C.A.: Subjects; DEWEY, M.: Decimal classification and relativ index: introduction; HOPWOOD, H.V.: Dewey expanded; HULME, E.W.: Principles of book classification; KAISER, J.O.: Systematic indexing; MARTEL, C.: Classification: a brief conspectus of present day library practice; BLISS, H.E.: A bibliographic classification: principles and definitions; RANGANATHAN, S.R.: Facet analysis: fundamental categories; PETTEE, J.: The subject approach to books and the development of the dictionary catalog; PETTEE, J.: Fundamental principles of the dictionary catalog; PETTEE, J.: Public libraries and libraries as purveyors of information; HAYKIN, D.J.: Subject headings: fundamental concepts; TAUBE, M.: Functional approach to bibliographic organization: a critique and a proposal; VICKERY, B.C.: Systematic subject indexing; FEIBLEMAN, J.K.: Theory of integrative levels; GARFIELD, E.: Citation indexes for science; CRG: The need for a faceted classification as the basis of all methods of information retrieval; LUHN, H.P.: Keyword-in-context index for technical literature; COATES, E.J.: Significance and term relationship in compound headings; FARRADANE, J.E.L.: Fundamental fallacies and new needs in classification; FOSKETT, D.J.: Classification and integrative levels; CLEVERDON, C.W. u. J. MILLS: The testing of index language devices; MOOERS, C.N.: The indexing language of an information retrieval system; NEEDHAM, R.M. u. K. SPARCK JONES: Keywords and clumps; ROLLING, L.: The role of graphic display of concept relationships in indexing and retrieval vocabularies; BORKO, H.: Research in computer based classification systems; WILSON, P.: Subjects and the sense of position; LANCASTER, F.W.: Evaluating the performance of a large computerized information system; SALTON, G.: Automatic processing of foreign language documents; FAIRTHORNE, R.A.: Temporal structure in bibliographic classification; AUSTIN, D. u. J.A. DIGGER: PRECIS: The Preserved Context Index System; FUGMANN, R.: The complementarity of natural and indexing languages