Indexing Services

Subject Indexing - Assignment of topical headings or subject descriptors, usually from a controlled vocabulary or thesaurus. Topical headings describe main points. Often used for magazine or journal articles.

Geographic Indexing - Assignment of geographic indicators placing into geographical context the main points of subject content.

Event Indexing - Assignment of topical headings specifically describing events such as mergers & acquisitions between companies or product launches. Topical headings typically come from a controlled vocabulary.

Numerical Indexing - Collection and standardization of significant quantities, values and units of measure discussed in a target content. Typically for technical articles in fields such as mathematics, chemistry or physics.

Chemical Indexing - Specific chemicals and compounds are indexed or included in an index record. Usually done for technical articles in the natural sciences.

Controlled Vocabulary or Thesaurus Indexing - Assignment of entries (possibly subject descriptors, geographic indicators and/or event descriptors) from a controlled vocabulary or an indexing thesaurus.

Free Language Indexing - Assignment of index entries without the use of a controlled vocabulary or thesaurus. Indexers are free to use any phrases deemed relevant in describing the main points of target material.

Relational Indexing - Use of free language terms, qualified by a controlled set of descriptors. They limit the context of the terms to their use in specific content. So relationships between the terms assigned to that content can be built, improving search accuracy.

Document Indexing (Document Classification) - Assignment of headings that define what a specific target material is. For example, newspaper articles may be indexed by such terms as editorial, correspondence or opinions column.

Keywording (Keywording-In-Context) - Refers to the activity of selecting words and phrases directly from content that are deemed relevant in describing the content’s main points.

Photo/Image Indexing - Target materials are microfiche, photographs or other kinds of images. The index entries provide description of the contents of the target photograph or image, enhancing search and retrieval.

Book Indexing - The creation of “back-of-the-book” indexes.

Produce Indexing (or Cataloguing) - Assigned index entries come from a controlled vocabulary and are used to accurately classify products within and across large product groups. Target materials are often product catalogues or brochures.

Reverse Indexing - Entails a careful and informed selection of words and phrases that are likely to be used as search terms.

Legal Indexing and Classification - Indexing with the use of legal-specific taxonomies, controlled vocabularies and thesauri. Focused on legal documents such as case law, statutes and regulations.

Bibliographic Indexing - Creation of an index record containing the title, author(s) and publication information of a given target material. Typically adheres to established standards such as MARC and LOC.

Topic Map Creation - An XML standard for organizing metadata. Describes what a particular information set is about by formally declaring topics. Links relevant parts of the information set to the appropriate topics.