Talk:Index (publishing)

A map of contents?
I deleted "Ideally, an index is not simply a list of the major terms in a publication, but an organized map of its contents." Indexes are usually simply lists, not "maps", aren't they? Nurg 05:54, 14 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Actually no, they aren't. An index is far more than just a list of terms -- that is more properly called a concordance.  An index makes connections among terms in the text (see also references), groups like concepts to make it easier for the reader to find all references to a topic, identifies preferred terms but also adds common terms under which the average reader might expect to find something with a "see" reference directing them to the correct term, and much much more. Bookgrrl 14:30, 18 May 2006 (UTC)
 * You may be confusing the word 'map'. This is not referring to a literal atlas or triptick. This is referring to the use of the word map that is used in relation with mathematics and computing, in that it is a link (rather, a set of links) between you and the content. A set of links, or the transformation of the understanding of your expectation of content, to the actual content, can thought of as "mapping" the content. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Jfroelich (talk • contribs) 19:13, 8 January 2007 (UTC).

syntax query
I'm not going to be bold and rush in and change it, 'cos maybe I'm just having one of those days, but I reckon that the following subsection: Index quality

Everyone has experienced a bad index; it's almost worse than no index at all. Some principles of good indexing include:[2]


 * Ensure each of your topics/sections includes a variety of relevant index entries; use two or three entries per topic
 * Analyse your audience and understand what kind of index entries they're likely to look for
 * Use the same form throughout (singular vs. plural, capitalisation, etc.), preferably using standard indexing conventions
 * One grouping approach uses nouns as the first level entries with verbs as the second level

would read better as follows: Everyone has...
 * Ensuring...
 * Analysing...
 * Using...
 * Using...

Feedback, anyone? Regards, --Technopat (talk) 18:36, 30 July 2008 (UTC)

Reference section
This article is helpful about principles of indexing, but the reference section is less than helpful; for example, some of the books listed do not have proper citations, so I (who want to know about indexing) am not sure where to find them. Can whoever added the refs provide proper citations? Or will I have to do it, as part of some cunningly-prearranged scheme to make me a better editor? Lexo (talk) 00:43, 21 August 2008 (UTC)

Index Quality
The example for the next-to-last pitfall is unclear and should be changed. Failure to sort properly: e.g. placing 'McTavish' after 'MacRobertson' instead of after 'machines' If I'm interpreting it right, the issue seems to be whether 'McTavish' should be sorted as M-C or as M-A-C. However, these three headings will appear in the order machines MacRobertson McTavish regardless of which convention is used. Perhaps replacing 'machines' with 'McTaggart' gets closer to what was intended.

Devising an example of a sorting mistake based on "Mc" names is a little awkward to do, because practice varies. It used to be that "Mc" was treated as if spelled M-A-C, but recently it's become common to alphabetize exactly as spelled. Alarich2 (talk) 21:56, 9 October 2008 (UTC)

History of indexes
Needed : When the first book with an index has been published? How indexes have changed over time. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.67.232.89 (talk) 13:09, 2 February 2009 (UTC)

Indexing of serials
Another topic to be added to this article: indexing of serials (newspapers, magazines, etc.). --Una Smith (talk) 00:35, 22 November 2009 (UTC)

Removed, unsourced sections.
Several were removed, but if referenced should go back. -- Jeandré, 2011-07-10t18:37z

"Appendix"
The usage and primary topic of is under discussion, see talk:Vermiform appendix -- 70.51.203.69 (talk) 05:46, 20 June 2015 (UTC)

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Indexing using Excel
It is easy to make Indexes using Excel, perhaps this should be added to the article 86.143.211.107 (talk) 20:48, 25 November 2017 (UTC)

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Index journal
create a section about the quality indicator for scholarly journals called journal indexing please, below the reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354504/ Hastengeims (talk) 16:55, 16 April 2022 (UTC)