Social Indexing: A Solution to the Challenges of Current Information Organization
New Directions in Information Organization
ISBN: 978-1-78190-559-3, eISBN: 978-1-78190-560-9
Publication date: 30 August 2014
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter aims to discuss the issues associated with social indexing as a solution to the challenges of current information organization systems by investigating the quality and efficacy of social indexing.
Design/methodology/approach
The chapter focuses on the study which compared indexing similarity between two professional groups and also compared social tagging and professional indexing. The study employed the method of the modified vector-based Indexing Consistency Density (ICD) with three different similarity measures: cosine similarity, dot product similarity, and Euclidean distance metric.
Findings
The investigation of social indexing in comparison of professional indexing demonstrates that social tags are more accurate descriptions of resources and reflection of more current terminology than controlled vocabulary. Through the characteristics of social tagging discussed in this chapter, we have a clearer understanding of the extent to which social indexing can be used to replace and improve upon professional indexing.
Research limitations/implications
As investment in professionally developed web directories diminishes, it becomes even more critical to understand the characteristics of social tagging and to obtain benefit from it. In future research, the examination of subjective tags needs to be conducted. A survey or user study on tagging behavior also would help to extend understanding of social indexing practices.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
This chapter derives from my University of Illinois doctoral dissertation entitled “Usefulness of Social Tagging in Organizing and Providing Access to the Web: An Analysis of Indexing Consistency and Quality.” I am deeply grateful to my dissertation committee. Dr. Linda C. Smith was the chairperson of that committee, which included Dr. Allen Renear, Dr. Miles Efron, and Dr. John Unsworth. Linda C. Smith also reviewed the draft of this chapter and provided guidance in revising it. I wish to express my deepest respect and gratitude to her.
Citation
Choi, Y. (2014), "Social Indexing: A Solution to the Challenges of Current Information Organization", New Directions in Information Organization (Library and Information Science, Vol. 7), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 107-135. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1876-0562(2013)0000007010
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013 Emerald Group Publishing Limited