LIS 384K.9, Spring 1998 

Indexing and Abstracting

 

Time: Tuesdays 8:30-11:30 am

Professor: Dr. Irene Owens

Place: SZB 468

Phone: 471-3705  
Email: iowens@gslis.utexas.edu  
Office: SZB 562BB  
Hours: Tuesdays 4-5 pm and by  appt.

 

        Course Goals and Objectives
 

To provide a basic understanding of the concepts involved in indexing and abstracting textual materials; and to provide an introduction to the actual indexing and abstracting process through examples and participatory exercise s and assignments. 

At the end of the course, the student should be able to: 

  1. Understand the scope of indexing and abstracting and the role of indexing and abstracting in the information storage and retrieval process.
  2. Identify and evaluate different types of indexes and abstracts.
  3. Index journal articles using a thesaurus.
  4. Complete an indexing project.
  5. Use computer software to prepare indexes.
  6. Be aware of various computer software programs to assist in indexing and producing thesauri.
  7. Be aware of professional aspects of indexing and abstracting and comprehend the professional responsibilities of the indexer/abstracter.
  8. Identify job opportunities for the indexer/abstracter.

 

        Textbooks and Course Readings
 

Required Textbooks:
O'Connor, Brian C.  Explorations in Indexing and Abstracting: Pointing, Virtue and Power.  Libraries Unlimited, 1996. 
Mulvany, Nancy.  Indexing Books. University of Chicago Press, 1994. 

Optional Textbooks:  
Lancaster, F.W.  Indexing and Abstracting in Theory and Practice.  University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science, 1991. 

On Reserve in PCL and the IT Lab:

 

        Course Requirements and Grading
 

Assignments

Calendar
Requirement

Percent of Grade

Due On 

Evaluating a book index 

5

1/27/98

Index of journal article

5

2/24/98

Short index using CINDEX

10

3/3/98

Book index

10

3/31/98

Exam

30

4/7/98

2 types of abstract from the same article

10

2/21/98

Software demonstration

30

4/28/98 or 5/5/98

 
Assignments and projects are to be typed on a word processor or specialized indexing software, and neatly presented. Because of the content of this course, points will be deducted for grammatical errors, typos, incorrect expressi ons, poor choice of words and anything that would negatively affect the retrieval of indexed and abstracted documents. 

Assignments that are not turned in on time will receive lower grades, except in the case of an emergency. 

 Indexing Resources