Page 210 - DLIS402_INFORMATION_ANALYSIS_AND_REPACKAGING

Unit 11: Indexing Language: Types and Characteristics

Related terms Notes
If we restrict the hierarchical relationship to true specific/generic relationships, we need another
mechanism to draw attention to other terms which an indexer and a searcher should consider.
These are RELATED TERMS of the starting term. Related terms may be of several kinds:
1. Objects and the discipline in which they are studied, such as Animals and Zoology.
2. Process and their products, such as Weaving and Cloth.
3. Tools and the processes in which they are used, such as Paint brushes and Painting.
It is also possible to use the RELATED TERM relationship between terms which are of the same
kind, not hierarchically related, but where someone looking for one ought also to consider searching
under the other, e.g. Beds RT Bedding; Quilts RT Feathers; Floors RT Floor coverings.
Definitions and scope notes
A thesaurus is not a dictionary, and it does not normally contain authoritative definitions of the
terms which it lists. It could perfectly well do this, but a lot more work would be required to develop
it in this way. In an automated system, however, the thesaurus would be a logical place to record
information which is common to all objects to which a term might be applied, for example notes on
the history and origin of Anoraks or the identifying characteristics and lifestyle of Mice (or
perhapsMus musculus in a taxonomic thesaurus).
Where there is any doubt about the meaning of a term, or the types of objects which it is to represent,
a SCOPE NOTE (SN) is attached to it. For example,
Fruit
SN distinguish from Fruits as an anatomical term
BT Foods
Preserves
SN includes jams
Neonates
SN covers children up to the age of about 4 weeks; includes premature
infants

Table 11.1

Sample thesaurus - hierarchical sequence

knitwear
> cardigans
> pullovers
outerwear
> blouses
> cardigans
> coats
> > raincoats
> dresses
> jackets
> > anoraks
> > blazers

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