When should I use a Subject Index?

A business woman leafs through files.

 

 

Use a subject index when you have a general idea of what you are looking for, but need to develop more specific information. You'll be able to narrow the focus of your idea quickly by browsing in the right subject category.   Once you find the right subcategories, the selection of information will help you decide on what you are really looking for. (If you were to enter a supermarket to shop for salad ingredients, you wouldn't go to the soft drink section to browse for dressings and croutons.)

Use subject indexes when you're not sure what you are looking for, but would recognize it when you see it.   If you have a broad topic in mind like popular culture, music, product information, current events subject indexes are a good place to start your search.    By browsing a subject index created by a knowledgeable editor you become more familiar with the details of a subject and better able to focus on specifics.  

Browsing a subject index will teach you the specialized vocabulary of a subject.   This is an excellent way to find keywords and search phrases for a specific query on a search engine.   Indeed, veteran searchers will first turn to reliable subject indexes to develop their keyword strategies before they begin using search engines.

When should I use a Search Engine Instead of a Subject Index?

The more specific and limited your area of investigation, the better it will be to use a search engine. Subject indexes help you go from broad categories of information to more specific ones. Search engines allow you use queries to find highly specific information. If you already understand the unique vocabulary needed to form a good query you might be better off with a search engine.   Additionally, if you need timely information a search engine is more likely to produce up to the minute results.

What is the difference between a closed model and open model directory?  

An editor works at a computer workstation.

Cartoon Image of a computer reading from paper text. Listen

 

Closed directories like Yahoo! and LookSmart hire professional editors with subject matter expertise to make the decisions about categories and information organization. There's likely to be less variation in quality in a closed directory system.

Volunteer editors produce open directories. The abilities and expertise of volunteer editors will vary widely. Some may be exceptionally qualified, others inconsistent. It is reasonable to expect that the quality of information in an open directory will vary accordingly. The Open Directory Project uses volunteer editors. The ODP supplies subject indexes to Google, Teoma, Alltheweb, Hotbot, AOL, and Lycos.

Authored by Dennis O'Connor 2003-2004