Bibliographic and database indexing
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Bibliographic database indexers provide
records for items such as journal articles. The database then provides
online access to a body of literature (eg medical journal articles).
Citation and subject details are described according to set rules
specifically for that database.
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A database indexer aims to:
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· identify
and provide details, including subject terms, about journal articles and
other items, usually within a broad subject area, and which may include
use of a thesaurus
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· describe
a document and give citation details and other information according to
set rules specified for the database
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· explain
succinctly the contents of a document in a written summary (called an
abstract)
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· produce
a database record for an item, providing online access to a body of
literature.
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Genealogical indexing
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Genealogical indexes allow users to look up
people’s names and find information about personal and family relationships.
They often eliminate the need to access original source materials (eg
cemetery inscriptions). Genealogical indexers are skilled in researching
and recording information about historical people and places.
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Geographical indexing
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Geographic indexers create indexes to maps,
atlases and other cartographic material. Geographical indexes may
include place names, topics, historical details, mathematical qualities
(eg scale and coordinates) and artistic
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features. Often geographic indexers have
special skills or backgrounds in cartography or geography.
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Book indexing
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Book indexers create indexes to provide
access to detailed contents of books. Back-of-book indexes are made for
all types of non-fiction books, including textbooks, multi-volume works,
technical reports and annual reports. Books that are online, PDF books, and
ebooks also need indexes. These link directly to points in the text.
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Legal indexing
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Legal indexing involves indexing of legal
materials by form and content. Legal indexers are familiar with legal
concepts and classification and are able to translate the classification
into an accessible index. Legal indexers are
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especially involved in the consolidation
and updating of existing indexes, and also prepare tables of legislation
and cases.
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Periodical and newspaper indexing
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Periodical and newspaper indexes give
access to the contents of individual articles and other items in
serialised publications. Many periodical and newspaper indexes are based
on a controlled vocabulary to ensure consistent use of terms from year
to year. Periodical and newspaper indexers help ensure that an overview
of the issues discussed throughout the life of the index are
easily accessible. Newspaper and periodical indexes can be annual or
cumulative.
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Pictorial indexing
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Indexes to images help users identify
relevant pictures in collections of photographs, art works, videos and
films. Pictorial indexers are skilled in identifying and describing
images in visual collections.
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Subject gateways
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Indexers are also involved in new forms of
electronic indexing. One growing area needing indexing is
online information. Indexers create subject gateways on the
internet which classify links to web pages of interest.
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Website and metadata indexing
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Despite the proliferation of automated
search engines, there are a number of ways in which human indexers are
needed to enhance access to information on the World Wide Web. Website
indexes can be similar in style to back of book indexes or can be
designed as hierarchical pages, which both link directly to
the information required. They complement other navigational tools such
as site maps and search engines. Metadata indexers improve the precision
of access to web documents through search engines by the use of standard
elements similar to those used in database indexes and library
catalogues.
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