The Subject Cataloging of Monographs with the Use of Keywords

Shoham, Snunith Kedar, Rochelle

Cataloging & classification quarterly 2001 33 (2)29-54
(ReLIS:jul:qmcdam:y:2001:v:33:i:2:p:29-54)

Abstract:

The overall objective of this study was to examine the implementation of a different approach to the expression of the subject content of monographs in the cataloging record, i.e., the use of a post-coordinate, thesaurus of keywords, using inter-indexer consistency testing and in-depth analysis of mistakes in indexing. A sample of 50 non-fiction monographs was subject cataloged by 16 library science students (non-experienced indexers) using the new Hebrew Thesaurus of Indexing Terms (1996). The 800 indexing records of the non-experienced indexers were compared to the 'correct indexing records' (prepared by a panel of three experienced indexers). Indexing consistency was measured using two different formulas used in previous inter-indexer studies. A medium level of inter-indexer consistency was found. In the analysis of mistakes, it was found that the most frequent mistake was the assignment of indexing terms to minor subject matter (i.e., subjects that were less than 20% of the content of the book).

Keywords: Tesauros ; Consistencia de la indización ; Encabezamientos de materia
Pages: 29-54
Volume: 33
Year: 2001
Issue: 2

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