Doing Things with Information: Beyond Indexing and Abstracting

The relationship between a person with a question and a source of information is complex. Indexing and abstracting often fail because too much emphasis is put on the mechanics of description and too little on what ought to be represented. Research literature suggests that inappropriate representation results in failed searches a significant number of times, perhaps even in a majority of cases. Doing Things with Information seeks to rectify this unfortunate situation by emphasizing methods of modeling and constructing appropriate representations of such questions and documents. Students in programs of information studies will find focal points for discussion about system design and refinement of existing systems. Librarians, scholars, and those who work within large document collections, whether paper or electronic, will find insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the access systems they use.

"This is not a 'howto' guide for people who want to learn how to style an abstract or create an index. Instead, the authors

ambitiously attempt to examine information in various formats and present strategies that librarians can use to better assist patrons find needed information within information systems. This is a dense book for people who like to think about how information is created and the role librarians and their systems have within the search process. Recommended for large libraries that support computer science and/or library science programs." -

The Tech Static

"Highly theoretical in nature, this book would make excellent reading for both students and professional indexers and abstractors. The authors seriously approach their subject matter, with each chapter containing a complete discussion of both philosophical and practical issues relating to document representation creation and use." -

Collection Management

A graphically intense, immensely readable guide to understanding the nature of representation in a constantly changing world of information production, dissemination, and use.

BRIAN C. O'CONNOR is a Professor at the School of Library and Information Sciences, University of North Texas.JODI KEARNS is Digitization Project Manager at the Archives of the History of American Psychology and an Adjunct Professor in the Intstructional Technology Program, College of Education, University of Akron.RICHARD L. ANDERSON is the Information Security Coordinator at University of North Texas.

1. Background Concepts and Models

2. Considerations of Representation

3. Representation, Function, and Utility

4. Failures of Representation: Indeterminacy and Depth

5. Aboutness and User-Generated Descriptors

6. Responses to Indeterminacy

7. Doing Things with Word-Based Documents

8. Functional Applications of Information Measurement

9. Functional Ontology Construction

10. Creek Pebbles: A Summary Metaphor and Touchstone for Exploration

References

Index