An index is an alphabetically arranged list of important words or terms in a particular text or document with the actual page and reference instructions. Added the new journey of the modern indexing system. At one time, selected terms from the original text were arranged alphabetically. Earlier articles, pronouns, etc. were also considered under it. These were subsequently excluded from indexing. Since the advent of computer technology, indexing has become a more detailed and faster means of information retrieval.
Description of Different Types of Indexing Systems
1. Subject indexing
Subject indexing is the process of assigning specific terms or descriptors to documents, books, or other information resources to represent their content and make them easily retrievable in a catalog or database. It involves identifying the main subjects or themes of the material and linking them to standardized subject headings or keywords.
For example, a book on climate change and renewable energy might be indexed under “Climate Change,” “Renewable Energy,” and “Environmental Policy” to help users find it when searching for those topics.
2.Word indexing
Word indexing is the process of indexing a document by using individual words from the text itself, rather than predefined subject headings or descriptors. It typically involves listing significant words that appear in the title, abstract, or content, which helps users search for documents based on keywords directly from the text.
For example, a paper titled “Advancements in Quantum Computing Algorithms” might be indexed by the words “advancements,” “quantum,” “computing,” and “algorithms.”
3.Co-Ordinate Indexing:
The main function of the indicator is to arrange the words scattered within the document/text in a descriptive manner, so that the user does not have difficulty knowing which page of the document or text he is on. For successful implementation of these purposes, various integrated processes are being used while preparing the modern injection index. They present the index from various perspectives, considering how many names a term can be known by, what terms it is related to, etc. As a result, the user will find a way to reach the main topic no matter what point of view he is looking for. According to modern information scientists, this process is called coordinate indexing. A major advantage of syntactic instruction is that it provides multiple references (cross-references). As a result, the searcher does not have to face any particular problem in searching for information. Coordinate indicators are known in two ways:
- Pre-coordinate indexing system
- Post coordinate indexing system
a) Pre-coordinate indexing system: An indexing system in which works treating two or more subjects in combination are assigned descriptions which correlate the subjects in so far as the system allows at the time of indexing, since descriptions cannot be manipulated at the time the index is searched.
For example, a work on the automation of library circulation systems might be assigned the description “Library automation” modified by the phrase “of circulation systems.”
b) Post coordinate indexing system: An indexing system in which works treating two or more subjects in combination are assigned single concept descriptors for which subjects at the time of indexing, and manipulation of the descriptions occurs at the time of search.
For example, a work on the automation library circulation systems might be assigned the descriptors; “Automation”, “Libraries”, “Circulation” and “System” .A the search stage, using a computer-based, punched card, or optical coincidence information retrieval system, works entered under each of the search terms are compared to determine which are common to all terms.
4. Chain indexing
‘Chain indexing’ was invented as a way of alphabetically presenting a list prepared according to the ethnicity of the subject (classified list) and facilitating information retrieval. This method was invented by Dr. SR Ranganathan. The headings (headings) that are prepared in the chain method, one of them is main and specific, the others are only the smallest sub-divided headings related to the main subject headings. Analyzing a topic is based on the division that occurs from the highest concept to the most detailed level. Alphabetical index is created. Chain index is claimed as a mechanical process. But there are some undesirable terms, about which only the indexer has the authority to decide, and this goes against the mechanical nature of the chain indexing method.
The British National Population (BNB) in 1950 is an important application of this method. This approach lost its importance when PRECIS began to be used in 1971.
Example: Radium treatment of cancer of palate
L: Medicine
L 2: Digestive system
L 21- Mouth
L 215- Palate
L 215- Soft palate
L 2153: 4-Disease
L 2153: 47-Structural
L 2153: 472-Tumor
L 2153: 4725-Cancer
L 2153: 4725:6-Treatment
L 2153: 4725:63: Chemical
L 2153: 4725:631: Elements
L 2153: 4725:6312: Group ll
L 2153: 4725:63129: Radium
5. Selective Listing in Combination (SLIC) index:
Chain index emerges as a fruitful and efficient mechanism in the data retrieval process. But still,, the chain index method remains a disadvantage. In this method, one can only progress from the broad-based to the kurdath-based in a sequential manner. But if any user/data seeker is interested in searching for a term without following this clause, then the chain index method is completely ineffective in providing information. To overcome these difficulties, J . R. Sharp introduced the Selective Listing in Combination (SLIC) index.
The SLIC introduced a certain amount of quick glance into a coordinate index and it exhibits a possibility that a technique might be developed for reproducing the principle of number matching, as with uniterm cards. This will be very effective technique.
Example: When creating a report like “Advances in Solar Energy Technology for Rural Electrification,” a SLIC index could generate these combinations:
– Solar Energy: Rural Electrification
– Rural Electrification: Solar Technology
– Energy Technology: Solar, Rural Applications
This method offers different entry points using key terms, allowing users to find information through various paths while focusing on the most relevant aspects of the content.
6. Relational Index:
This method was introduced by JEL Farradane, a computer scientist. He announced the introduction of the method in 1950, but his announcement was implemented in 1967. He believes that relational indexes are the most useful vehicle for the unsolicited information seeker from all information that has been grouped into a structured form for the purpose of timely information retrieval. Because in this method it is possible to conduct information search activities by judging the actual information.
Example: Cornea (association) Disease (action) Treatment
Instructional presentation process:
Treatment / Disease / Cornea
7. Key Word In Context (KWIC) Index
A form of permutation indexing, in which the subject content serves of a work is represented by key words from its title, derived by a computer form the use of a stop list or go list, or from manual tagging. In the computer printout, the keywords appear alphabetically in a fixed location in (usually the centre ) in an index line of fixed length (usually 60 or 100 characters) and are preceded and followed by such other words of the title as space allows. The key word, which is the heading of the index entry, and the context, which serves as the modification of the heading, is followed by a serial number or code which is linked to a full identification of the document indexed.
Example: When creating an index for a document, the keyword-in-context (KWIC) index for the word “intelligence” in “Artificial intelligence has revolutionized data processing and automation.” Would look like this:
…Artificial intelligence has revolutionized data processing…
Similarly, for the word “processing”:
…revolutionized data processing and automation…
This format allows users to quickly understand the context around the keyword. H.P. Luhn, introduced it in 1958, as an “information search tool” on an ad hoc basis. However, the KWIC index is mainly computer generated. For this reason a cutoff list is ordered on the computer. This list includes articles, prepositions and other unnecessary words
8. Preserved Context Indexing System(PRECIS)
Descriptive scheduling (subject indexing) is actually the latest innovation in the index world; In the 1970s, the British National Population (BNB) attempted to use an alternative to the Dewey Decimal Classification system. An indexer, when creating a descriptive index, directs the user to a specific heading.
Example: For a book titled “The Effects of Pollution on Marine Life,” a PRECIS entry might look like this:
Marine life: effects of pollution
Pollution: effects on marine life
In this system, the relationship between the terms “marine life” and “pollution” is preserved, allowing users to retrieve the book whether they search by “marine life” or “pollution,” with context intact. This flexibility makes PRECIS valuable for subject searching in catalogs.
9. Automatic indexing
Automatic indexing involves using computer algorithms to analyze a document and generate index terms based on its content, without human intervention. The system identifies keywords, phrases, or concepts from the text, often relying on techniques like natural language processing or statistical analysis.
For example, an automatic indexing system might scan a research paper on “Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare” and assign terms like “AI,” “machine learning,” “healthcare,” and “medical diagnostics” based on frequency and relevance.
10. Computer-printed indexing
Computer-printed indexing refers to using computers to generate and print index entries from a document or set of documents, streamlining the process of creating an index. It automates the arrangement and formatting of index terms, making the index more consistent and easier to produce for large publications.
For example, in publishing a textbook, a computer-printed index might list terms like “photosynthesis,” “cell structure,” and “ecosystem” with corresponding page numbers, automatically generated based on the content of the book.
Indexers have the opportunity to apply their judgment and channelize it in a number of ways, as manual labor creates indicators. On the other hand, the instructions prepared by mechanical means give the same results as the instructions given to the computer. The role of the director is immense in increasing the dissemination of information and knowledge. The role of the indexer is not diminished no matter how many cutting edge informatics engineers employ .
