SP09Q1

Spring 2009 Question 1
The traditional methods for information organization include indexing and classification. Professionally trained indexers and catalogers assign subject headings (also called index terms or descriptors) and classification codes (such as LCC or DDC) to documents as controlled subject access points in bibliographic records. Classification also adds browsing capability to allow searchers navigating through hierarchical subject arrangements as an alternative to searching. Today, the Web is becoming a popular information search system; social indexing (also known as collaborative tagging, folksonomy, etc.) has emerged as an alternative to traditional professional subject indexing. In your answer, •Compare the traditional information retrieval system with the Web. •Discuss TWO pros and TWO cons of the Web as an information retrieval system. •Provide a balanced view on the new phenomenon of social indexing in terms of its TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages.