Universe of Knowledge - Nature and Attributes;

Modes of Formation of Subjects.

📘 1. Universe of Knowledge
✅ Definition:
The Universe of Knowledge refers to the entire body of recorded and
unrecorded human knowledge, which is vast, dynamic, and interconnected
across all disciplines.

It includes all subjects — from humanities to science, from ancient wisdom to modern
discoveries.

🌟 Nature of the Universe of Knowledge:

Nature Explanation

Dynamic Continuously growing with new discoveries and ideas.

Interdisciplinar Boundaries between subjects are blurred (e.g., biotechnology = biology

y + technology).

Hierarchical Structured into broad subjects → divisions → subdivisions.

Expandable New subjects emerge as knowledge evolves.

Cumulative Builds upon existing knowledge.

Systematic Can be organized through classification schemes (like DDC, CC,

UDC).

🧩 Attributes of Universe of Knowledge:

Attribute Description

Unity All knowledge is interconnected.

Diversity Exists in many forms – written, oral, visual, digital.

Continuity Grows over time without stopping.

Universality Applies to all cultures, languages, and regions.

 Classifiability Can be logically organized for retrieval in libraries.

📘 2. Modes of Formation of Subjects

This concept was introduced by Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, the father of Library Science in
India.

✅ Definition:
Modes of Formation explain how different subjects (or disciplines) are
formed in the universe of knowledge.

Subjects don't always appear fully formed — they evolve based on need, research, and
development.

🔍 Six Modes of Formation of Subjects (Ranganathan’s Model):

Mode Description Example

1. Subjects formed by naming or listing History, Physics, Botany

Enumeration

2. Filiation New subjects formed by evolution from Astrophysics from Physics

a parent subject

3. Lamination Two subjects combined, but both Physical Chemistry = Physics

remain distinct + Chemistry

4. Fission One subject splits into many branches Biology → Zoology, Botany

5. Fusion Two or more subjects merge to form a Biochemistry = Biology +

new one Chemistry

6. Distortion Subject changes form under social or Home Science (from multiple
practical influence disciplines)

📌 Key Differences Among Modes:

Mode Involves Leads To

Enumeration Listing Basic subjects

Filiation Lineage Evolution of special subjects

Lamination Combination Interdisciplinary fields

Fission Division Specialization

Fusion Integration New interdisciplinary subject

Distortion Modification Applied or social subjects

📚 Relevance in Library and Information Science:

● Helps in subject analysis and classification

● Guides the design of classification systems like Colon Classification

● Essential for organizing interdisciplinary knowledge in modern libraries

● Useful in subject cataloging, thesaurus building, and knowledge mapping

✅ Quick Summary Chart:

Concept Key Idea Example

Universe of Total human knowledge Arts, Science,

Knowledge Technology

Dynamic Nature Ever-expanding and New subjects like AI

changing

Modes of Formation How subjects are formed Fusion: Biochemistry

Knowledge Organisation - Classification –
Theories, Cannons, and Principles; Simple
Knowledge Organisation System (SKOS),
Taxonomies, Folksonomy, Trends in
Classification.

📘 Knowledge Organisation – Classification: Theories,

Canons, and Principles

✅ What is Knowledge Organisation?

Knowledge Organisation (KO) refers to the process of systematically
arranging, describing, and classifying knowledge (or information resources)
so users can retrieve it easily.

This includes:

● Classification (DDC, UDC, CC)

● Cataloguing

● Subject indexing

● Taxonomies and ontologies

📚 Classification: Theories, Canons, and Principles

🔹 Classification Theories:
1. Enumerative Theory

○ Lists all possible subject classes in advance (e.g., DDC)

2. Faceted Theory

○ Breaks subjects into facets or components (e.g., CC by Ranganathan)

3. Analytico-Synthetic Theory
 ○ Analyzes the subject, selects relevant facets, and synthesizes a class number
(used in UDC, CC)

🔹 Canons of Classification (by S.R. Ranganathan)

Canons are rules or standards for creating an effective classification system.

Examples:

● Canon of Differentiation – Each class should be clearly distinct

● Canon of Ascertainability – Facets must be easily identifiable

● Canon of Hospitality – The system should allow for expansion

(There are dozens of canons grouped under: Idea Plane, Verbal Plane, Notational Plane.)

🔹 Principles of Classification
Principle Description

Principle of Literary Classification should reflect subjects present in published

Warrant literature

Principle of Helpful Arrangement should help users (general to specific, simple

Sequence to complex)

Principle of Consistency Rules should be applied uniformly

Principle of Modulation Allow expansion for new subjects

🧩 Simple Knowledge Organization System (SKOS)

✅ Definition:
SKOS is a W3C standard for representing controlled vocabularies, thesauri,
taxonomies, and classification schemes in a machine-readable (semantic
web) format.

🔹 Key Features:
● Based on RDF (Resource Description Framework)

● Used in digital libraries, data portals, and ontologies

 ● Helps in interoperability across systems

🔹 Example Use:
● A SKOS vocabulary may define:

○ Concepts (e.g., “Libraries”)

○ Broader/narrower terms

○ Synonyms (altLabels)

Taxonomies vs. Folksonomy

Feature Taxonomy Folksonomy

Definition A formal hierarchical classification User-generated tagging system

Created By Experts or professionals General public or end-users

Structure Controlled, structured Uncontrolled, flat

Examples Biological classification, Library catalog Tags in Flickr, Instagram,

YouTube

📌 UGC NET Tip:

Taxonomies = controlled vocabularies
Folksonomy = social tagging (collaborative indexing)

📈 Trends in Classification
Trend Description

Faceted More libraries adopting flexible faceted systems (like CC or

Classification UDC)

Digital Classification systems adapted to online and digital resources

Classification

AI and Ontologies Use of artificial intelligence to auto-classify documents

Linked Data & Classification integrated with the semantic web

SKOS

User Participation Growth of folksonomies and crowd-sourced tagging in digital

 platforms

✅ Summary Table:
Concept Description

Classification How knowledge is logically organized

Theory

Canons Rules for creating classification schemes

Principles Guidelines like literary warrant, helpful sequence

SKOS Web standard for representing vocabularies

Taxonomy Structured, expert-made classification

Folksonomy User-generated tags

Trends Digital tools, AI, SKOS, and social indexing

Mapping of Subjects in Library Classification

Schemes – DDC, UDC and CC.

📘 What Is “Mapping of Subjects” in Classification

Schemes?
 Mapping of Subjects means assigning a specific class number or notation to
a subject based on its place in the Universe of Knowledge using a
classification scheme.

Each scheme has its own structure, logic, and methodology for representing subjects.

📚 1. Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)

✅ Overview:
● Developed by Melvil Dewey

● Enumerative and hierarchical

● Uses decimal notation (000–999)

🧩 Mapping Style:
● Subjects are pre-enumerated into 10 main classes

● Each class divided into divisions and sections

🔹 Example:
● 500 – Natural Sciences

○ 510 – Mathematics

■ 519 – Probabilities & applied mathematics

📌 Key Points:
● Easy to use

● Lacks flexibility for interdisciplinary or emerging subjects

● Often used in school and public libraries

🧾 2. Universal Decimal Classification (UDC)

✅ Overview:
 ● Based on DDC, developed by Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine

● Faceted + Enumerative

● Uses decimal + symbols (e.g., colons, slashes)

🧩 Mapping Style:
● Subjects are mapped using main class + auxiliaries

● Allows synthesis of multiple concepts in one number

🔹 Example:
● 61 – Medical sciences

○ 61:001.891 – Application of science in medicine

○ 61/62 – Range of subjects related to health sciences

📌 Key Points:
● Highly flexible, suitable for complex topics

● Used in technical, scientific, and research libraries

● Allows combination of subjects, time, place, and language

🧮 3. Colon Classification (CC)

✅ Overview:
● Developed by S.R. Ranganathan

● Fully faceted classification system

● Uses PMEST formula:

○ P – Personality (main subject)

○ M – Matter (substance)

○ E – Energy (process)

○ S – Space (location)
 ○ T – Time (period)

🧩 Mapping Style:
● Subjects are analyzed into fundamental facets

● Facets are combined using colon (:) and other symbols

🔹 Example:
● Physics education in India in 2020 =
X:Z:Y5:Z1 (simplified, actual CC notation is complex)

📌 Key Points:
● Most scientific and precise system

● Allows infinite expansion

● Best suited for Indian libraries and research institutes

🔍 Comparison Table: Mapping in DDC, UDC, and CC

Feature DDC UDC CC (Colon
Classification)

Type Enumerative Faceted + Enumerative Fully Faceted

Notation Pure Decimal Decimal + Symbols (/:[]) Alphanumeric + Colons (:)

(000–999)

Subject Pre-defined list Synthesis of numbers + Analysis using PMEST

Mapping auxiliaries formula

Flexibility Limited High Very High

Use Public/School Technical/Research Academic and Research

Libraries Libraries Libraries (India)

🧠 UGC NET Tip:

● DDC = Fixed slots, easy but limited
 ● UDC = Add symbols to combine topics

● CC = Dissect the subject into PMEST facets

You may be asked to identify how a subject like “Women’s Education in India” is
classified differently in each scheme.

✅ Summary:
Schem Mapping Style Key Tool
e

DDC Enumeration Pre-built schedules

UDC Synthesis Main + Auxiliary numbers

CC Facet Analysis PMEST formula

Knowledge Organisation: Cataloguing -

Cannons and Principles; Centralized and Co-
operative Catalogue; Library Cataloguing
Codes: CCC and AACR - II.

📘 Knowledge Organisation: Cataloguing – Canons,

Principles, Centralized & Cooperative Cataloguing,
CCC & AACR-II
This topic is a major part of Library and Information Science (LIS) for UGC NET, focusing
on how information is systematically described and accessed through catalogues.

📚 1. Cataloguing: Meaning & Purpose

Cataloguing is the process of creating bibliographic records (entries) for
documents in a library, so they can be easily identified and retrieved.

✅ Functions:
● Identify each document uniquely
 ● Provide access points (author, title, subject)

● Support resource discovery

🧩 2. Canons and Principles of Cataloguing

🔹 Canons (S.R. Ranganathan)
Canons are fundamental rules that guide cataloguing processes.

📜 Examples:
Canon Meaning

Canon of Consistency Same type of entries should follow the same

rules

Canon of Ascertainability Information should be based on observable facts

Canon of Accuracy Entries must be correct and verifiable

Canon of Relevance Only useful details should be recorded

🔹 Principles of Cataloguing
Principle Description

Principle of Uniformity All entries must follow a consistent format

Principle of User Catalogue should be user-friendly

Convenience

Principle of Collaboration Cataloguing should support shared efforts (as in cooperative

cataloguing)

Principle of Specificity Precise subject headings help accurate retrieval

🤝 3. Centralized and Cooperative Cataloguing

✅ Centralized Cataloguing
Cataloguing is done at a central location and copies are distributed to other
libraries.

📌 Example:
 ● Library of Congress prepares catalogue cards for other libraries.

✅ Co-operative Cataloguing
Multiple libraries work together to share cataloguing data and reduce
duplication.

📌 Example:

● OCLC's WorldCat is a global cooperative cataloguing database.

Type Advantage

Centralized Saves time, ensures consistency

Cooperative Cost-effective, reduces duplication of work

📜 4. Library Cataloguing Codes: CCC and AACR-II

🔹 Classified Catalogue Code (CCC)
Feature Details

Developed S.R. Ranganathan

by

Year 1934 (revised later)

Type Classified catalogue (arranged by subject class numbers)

Structure Main Entry + Added Entries

Focus Indian libraries and faceted classification (Colon Classification)

Language Highly structured, complex for beginners

📌 CCC is based on Canons of Cataloguing and follows PMEST facets.

🔹 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules – Second Edition (AACR-II)

Feature Details

Published by Joint effort of UK & US (ALA, CLA, etc.)

Year 1978 (with later revisions)

Type Descriptive cataloguing

Structure Based on ISBD (International Standard Bibliographic Description)

Entry Format Author → Title → Edition → Publication → Physical description,

etc.

Use Widely used in academic and digital libraries worldwide

📌 AACR-II supports OPACs and MARC formats for digital libraries.

📊 Comparison: CCC vs AACR-II

Feature CCC AACR-II

Developed By Ranganathan (India) Anglo-American libraries

Approach Classified (by subject) Descriptive

Structure Main + Added Entries ISBD format

Use Traditional libraries in India International, digital and OPACs

Notation Uses Call Numbers Uses MARC tags (in automation)

✅ Quick Summary Table

Concept Description

Canons Rules of cataloguing (consistency, accuracy,

etc.)

Principles Cataloguing should be user-friendly and precise

Centralized Cataloguing Done by a central agency

Cooperative Shared between multiple libraries

Cataloguing

CCC Indian, classified, based on Ranganathan's

canons

AACR-II International, descriptive, based on ISBD

Standards of Bibliographic Record Formats
and Description – ISBD, MARC 21, CCF, RDA,
FRBR, Bibframe.

📘 Standards of Bibliographic Record Formats and

Description
(ISBD, MARC 21, CCF, RDA, FRBR, BIBFRAME)
→ These are international standards used in libraries to create, structure, and exchange
bibliographic data.

1. 📙 ISBD – International Standard Bibliographic

Description
✅ Definition:
A set of rules developed by IFLA to standardize the format of bibliographic
descriptions, especially in library catalogues.

📚 Key Features:
● Used to structure bibliographic records uniformly

● Prescribes punctuation, order of elements, and areas of description

🧩 8 Areas of ISBD:
1. Title and statement of responsibility

2. Edition

3. Material-specific details (e.g., map scale)

 4. Publication and distribution

5. Physical description

6. Series

7. Notes

8. Standard number (ISBN, ISSN)

2. 📘 MARC 21 – Machine Readable Cataloguing

✅ Definition:
A data format standard developed by the Library of Congress for encoding
bibliographic and authority data.

📚 Key Features:
● Each record is divided into fields, subfields, and tags

● Enables interchange between library systems

● Supports AACR-II and RDA

🧩 Example:
● 100 – Author

● 245 – Title

● 260 – Publisher

● 650 – Subject headings

📌 MARC 21 is the most widely used in library automation and OPACs.

3. 📗 CCF – Common Communication Format

✅ Definition:
A UNESCO-supported format used for exchanging bibliographic data across
databases.
📚 Key Features:
● Similar to MARC but simpler

● Often used in non-library databases (archives, documentation centers)

● Supports ASCII-based data exchange

📌 Not as widely used as MARC but important for international cooperation.

4. 📕 RDA – Resource Description and Access

✅ Definition:
A modern cataloguing code that replaces AACR-II, based on FRBR and
FRAD models.

📚 Key Features:
● Focuses on user tasks: Find, Identify, Select, Obtain (FISO)

● Supports all media types (print, digital, audio, etc.)

● Compatible with MARC 21 and linked data

📌 RDA is the current international standard for descriptive cataloguing.

5. 📖 FRBR – Functional Requirements for Bibliographic

Records
✅ Definition:
A conceptual model developed by IFLA to understand how users interact
with bibliographic records.

📚 4 Main Entities:
● Work – Idea (e.g., Hamlet)

● Expression – Realization (e.g., English or Hindi version)

● Manifestation – Physical format (e.g., Penguin paperback)

● Item – A specific copy (e.g., Your library’s copy)

📌 FRBR supports RDA by focusing on user needs and relationships between resources.

6. 📗 BIBFRAME – Bibliographic Framework

✅ Definition:
A linked data model developed by the Library of Congress to replace MARC
21 for web-based environments.

📚 Key Features:
● Based on RDF (Resource Description Framework)

● Designed for the Semantic Web

● Entities: Work, Instance, Item, Agent, Subject

📌 BIBFRAME is future-ready and aligns with modern web technologies.

🧠 Comparison Table:
Standard Type Use

ISBD Descriptive standard Organizes bibliographic elements with

punctuation

MARC 21 Data format Machine-readable records for library systems

CCF Communication format Simpler exchange of bibliographic data

RDA Cataloguing code Modern, user-centered replacement for AACR-II

FRBR Conceptual model Foundation for RDA and user navigation

BIBFRAME Linked data model Successor to MARC for Semantic Web

📌 UGC NET Tip:

● ISBD = Layout

● MARC = Format for computers

● RDA = Rules
 ● FRBR = Theory

● BIBFRAME = Web model

● CCF = Data exchange tool

Standards for Bibliographic Information

Interchange & Communication – ISO 2709,
Z39.50, Z39.71.
📘 Standards for Bibliographic Information Interchange
& Communication
(ISO 2709, Z39.50, Z39.71)
→ These are technical standards used in libraries to exchange, retrieve, and manage
bibliographic records across systems and platforms.

1. 📗 ISO 2709 – Format for Bibliographic Information

Interchange
✅ Definition:
ISO 2709 is an international standard format for interchanging bibliographic
information in machine-readable form.

🔹 Key Features:
● Basis for MARC formats (like MARC 21)

● Supports structured data fields, subfields, and records

● Designed to ensure compatibility between different systems

📌 Structure:
● Leader (metadata about the record)
 ● Directory (list of fields)

● Variable fields (actual data like title, author)

📚 Used in: MARC, UNIMARC, CCF

2. 📘 Z39.50 – Information Retrieval Protocol

✅ Definition:
Z39.50 is a communication protocol that enables one library system to
search and retrieve records from another, regardless of software differences.

🔹 Developed By:
● NISO (National Information Standards Organization) – USA

● Also recognized as ISO 23950

🔹 Key Features:
● Works over the Internet

● Allows federated searching (search many databases at once)

● Supports remote catalog access, interlibrary loan, etc.

📚 Used in: OPACs, library networks (e.g., OCLC, INFLIBNET)

3. 📙 Z39.71 – Holdings Statements for Bibliographic

Items
✅ Definition:
Z39.71 is a standard for describing library holdings (what volumes/issues a
library owns of a serial publication).

🔹 Purpose:
● Provides a consistent way to record and display holdings (e.g., Vol. 1–5, 2010–
2014)

● Helps users know what part of a journal or series is available

🔹 Maintained by:
● NISO (USA)

📚 Used in: Serial holdings, union catalogues, library automation systems

✅ Quick Comparison Table:

Standar Type Purpose Use Case
d

ISO File format Exchange bibliographic Foundation for MARC,

2709 records UNIMARC

Z39.50 Communication Search & retrieve records Federated search in

protocol across systems OPACs

Z39.71 Metadata standard Record library holdings Serials, union catalogues

📌 UGC NET Tip:

● ISO 2709 = Format for bibliographic data

● Z39.50 = Communication between library databases

● Z39.71 = Tells users what a library owns (holdings)

Metadata Standards: Dublin Core; MARC21,

METS, MODES, EAD.

📘 Metadata Standards
(Dublin Core, MARC21, METS, MODS, EAD)
→ These are standardized formats for describing resources (books, images,
archives, etc.) to support cataloguing, discovery, and sharing across systems.
✅ What is Metadata?
Metadata = Data about data
It describes information like title, author, date, format, subject, etc., making
digital and physical resources discoverable.

1. 📗 Dublin Core
🔹 Definition:
A simple and widely used metadata standard for describing digital and non-
digital resources.

🔹 Maintained by:
● Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI)

🔹 15 Core Elements:
● Title, Creator, Subject, Description, Publisher, Contributor, Date, Type, Format,
Identifier, Source, Language, Relation, Coverage, Rights

📌 Use: Institutional repositories, websites, digital libraries (e.g., DSpace)

2. 📘 MARC 21 (Machine Readable Cataloguing)

🔹 Definition:
A rich, complex metadata standard for bibliographic records used in libraries.

🔹 Structure:
● Fields, subfields, tags (e.g., 100 – Author, 245 – Title)

📌 Use: Library OPACs, union catalogues, global bibliographic sharing

📌 Basis of: ISO 2709 format
3. 📙 METS (Metadata Encoding and Transmission
Standard)
🔹 Definition:
An XML-based framework for encoding complex digital objects and their
metadata.

🔹 Maintained by:
● Library of Congress

🔹 Features:
● Wraps together descriptive (Dublin Core, MARC), administrative, and structural
metadata

● Supports digital preservation and delivery

📌 Use: Digital libraries, archival systems, preservation projects

4. 📕 MODS (Metadata Object Description Schema)

🔹 Definition:
A simplified version of MARC, encoded in XML, more user-friendly for web
use.

🔹 Developed by:
● Library of Congress

🔹 Features:
● Richer than Dublin Core but simpler than MARC

● Can map to/from MARC 21

📌 Use: Digital repositories, web-based library services

5. 📒 EAD (Encoded Archival Description)

🔹 Definition:
An XML standard for describing archival collections (manuscripts, records,
personal papers).

🔹 Maintained by:
● Society of American Archivists and Library of Congress

🔹 Features:
● Organizes complex hierarchical descriptions of archives

● Based on archival principles like provenance and original order

📌 Use: Archives, manuscript collections, historical libraries

✅ Quick Comparison Table:

Standard Format Used For Best In

Dublin Simple (15 Digital resources Web, institutional

Core elements) repositories

MARC 21 Machine-readable Bibliographic records Libraries, OPACs

METS XML wrapper Package multiple metadata Digital preservation

types

MODS XML Alternative to MARC Web-based metadata

EAD XML Archival collections Archives and special

collections

📌 UGC NET Tip:

● Dublin Core = Simple, flexible

● MARC21 = Traditional library metadata

● METS = Container for complex digital objects

● MODS = Middle ground between MARC and Dublin Core

● EAD = For archival collections

Indexing Systems and Techniques: Assigned -
Pre-coordinate; Post-Coordinate; Derived-
Title-based; Vocabulary Control.
📘 Indexing Systems and Techniques
(Assigned, Pre-coordinate, Post-coordinate, Derived – Title-based, Vocabulary
Control)

Indexing is a core part of Knowledge Organization, used to describe content and

facilitate retrieval of documents.

1. 📌 Assigned vs. Derived Indexing

Type Definition Example

Assigned Index terms are manually assigned by an Library catalog

Indexing indexer using a controlled vocabulary subject headings

Derived Index terms are extracted automatically from Keyword in Title

Indexing document parts (like titles or abstracts) indexing (KWIC)

2. 🧩 Pre-coordinate Indexing
✅ Definition:
Terms are combined in advance (before searching) to represent a subject in
a fixed order.

📚 Features:
● Usually manual/assigned
 ● Uses controlled vocabulary

● Supports complex subjects

📝 Example:
“Library services for children” =
Pre-coordinated as: Library services – Children

📌 Used in: Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), Classified Catalogues

3. 🔄 Post-coordinate Indexing
✅ Definition:
Individual terms are assigned separately, and then combined at the time of
searching.

📚 Features:
● More flexible and dynamic

● Often used in computerized systems

● Enables Boolean search (AND, OR, NOT)

📝 Example:

Assign: Library, Services, Children

User searches: Library AND Services AND Children

📌 Used in: Online databases, search engines

4. 📖 Title-Based or Derived Indexing (e.g., KWIC,

KWOC)
These are automatic techniques based on titles or text content.

🔹 KWIC (KeyWord In Context)

● Displays the keyword in the center, with context around it

● Used in computerized indexing

🔹 KWOC (KeyWord Out of Context)

● Keywords are listed separately, followed by full titles

🔹 PRECIS (Preserved Context Indexing System)

● Used in British National Bibliography

● Maintains grammatical context

5. 🧠 Vocabulary Control
✅ Definition:
Use of a controlled set of terms (authorized subject headings or thesauri) to
ensure consistency in indexing and searching.

📚 Examples:
● LCSH (Library of Congress Subject Headings)

● MeSH (Medical Subject Headings)

● Thesaurus in databases like ERIC

🔹 Benefits:
● Reduces ambiguity

● Groups synonyms (e.g., "Automobile" and "Car")

● Prevents term variation confusion (e.g., "child labor" vs. "child employment")

✅ Summary Table:
Concept Type Method Tools Used

Assigned Manual Terms assigned by indexer LCSH, MeSH

Indexing

Derived Indexing Automatic Extracted from title or KWIC, KWOC

abstract

Pre-coordinate Manual Terms combined in Subject catalogues

 advance

Post-coordinate Manual/ Terms combined at search Boolean systems

Auto time

Vocabulary Manual Standardized terms Thesaurus, Subject

Control headings

📌 UGC NET Tip:

● Pre-coordinate = Fixed order of terms before search

● Post-coordinate = Flexible combination during search

● Assigned = Chosen by indexer

● Derived = Pulled from text automatically

● Vocabulary control ensures consistency and accuracy

Abstracting – Types and Guidelines.

✅ What is Abstracting?
Abstracting is the process of creating a short summary of a document that
highlights its main points, purpose, methods, and conclusions—without
providing full details.

📌 An abstract helps readers decide whether to read the full document.

📚 Types of Abstracts
Type Description Example

1. Indicative Abstract Gives an overview of what the Used in social

document contains — doesn’t include sciences, humanities
details like results

2. Informative Summarizes the purpose, methods, Common in scientific

Abstract results, and conclusion of the papers, research
document articles

3. Critical Abstract Includes an evaluation or opinion Written by subject

about the quality or usefulness of the experts
document

4. Slanted/Selective Tailored to the specific needs or Abstracts for doctors,

Abstract interests of a user group engineers, etc.

5. Statistical Abstract Contains numerical data and key Government reports,

statistics from a report surveys

6. Mini Abstract / Very short (1–3 lines) summary Used in databases or

Micro Abstract search engines

7. Structured Divided into sections like Used in scientific

Abstract Background, Objectives, Methods, journals
Results, Conclusion

📝 Guidelines for Abstracting

🔹 1. Be Objective
● Avoid personal opinions unless it’s a critical abstract

● Reflect the author’s intent faithfully

🔹 2. Be Concise and Clear

● Use simple language

● Stick to key ideas only

● Usually 100–300 words

🔹 3. Maintain Structure
● Especially in informative or structured abstracts

● Include: Problem → Method → Result → Conclusion

🔹 4. Use Keywords Wisely

● Helps in retrieval and indexing
 ● Use controlled vocabulary (if applicable)

🔹 5. Avoid Redundancy
● Don’t repeat content from the title

● No unnecessary background or definitions

🔹 6. Target the Right Audience

● Abstract should match the reader’s knowledge level and needs

✅ Summary Table:
Type of Covers Length Used In
Abstract

Indicative General content Short Humanities

Informative Purpose + Results Medium Science, research

Critical Evaluation + Summary Varies Expert reviews

Slanted User-focused content Varies Specialized reports

Statistical Numerical data only Short Gov. and data

reports

Structured Section-wise detail Medium Academic journals

📌 UGC NET Tip:

● Indicative = Overview

● Informative = Details of study

● Critical = Judgment + Summary

● Abstracts help in document selection, indexing, and retrieval

Information Retrieval System – Features,
Components, Models and Evaluation.

📘 Information Retrieval System (IRS)

Features, Components, Models, and Evaluation
→ An essential topic in Library and Information Science for UGC NET.

✅ What is an Information Retrieval System?

An Information Retrieval System is a system used to search, retrieve, and
display information (documents or data) based on user queries.

📌 Example: Library OPAC, search engines like Google, or academic databases like Scopus.

🔍 Features of Information Retrieval System

Feature Description

User-friendly Interface Easy input and navigation for users

Query Processing Accepts both simple and complex searches

Relevance Ranking Sorts results based on relevance to the query

Vocabulary Control Uses subject headings, thesauri, etc.

Feedback Mechanism Supports relevance feedback (manual or

automatic)

Indexing & Abstracting Organizes documents for quick retrieval

⚙️Components of IRS
Component Role

User Interface Accepts user queries (e.g., search bar)

Query Processor Translates query into machine-readable form

Search Engine Matches query with database/index

Document Full database of stored records

Collection

Indexing Subsystem Creates searchable representations of

documents

Vocabulary Tools Thesaurus, subject headings, keyword list

Feedback System Refines results based on user input

📚 Models of Information Retrieval

1. 🔹 Boolean Model
● Uses Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT)

● Documents are retrieved if they exactly match the query

● 📌 Pros: Simple and precise

● ❌ Cons: Rigid, no ranking of results

2. 🔹 Vector Space Model

● Represents documents and queries as vectors in a multi-dimensional space

● Uses term weighting (TF-IDF) and measures similarity (cosine angle)

● 📌 Pros: Allows ranking of results

● ❌ Cons: Requires more computation

3. 🔹 Probabilistic Model
● Calculates the probability that a document is relevant to the query

● Learns from user feedback

● 📌 Pros: More accurate over time

● ❌ Cons: Complex, requires training data

4. 🔹 Fuzzy Model
● Handles imprecise or vague queries

● Useful when terms are uncertain (e.g., “about”, “related to”)

📏 Evaluation of IRS
📌 Purpose:
To assess how effective, accurate, and user-friendly the retrieval system is.

✅ Evaluation Measures
Measure Description

Precision % of retrieved documents that are relevant

→ Precision = Relevant retrieved /

Total retrieved

Recall % of relevant documents that are retrieved

→ Recall = Relevant retrieved / Total

relevant

F1 Score Harmonic mean of precision and recall

Response Time Speed of search and result delivery

User Satisfaction Based on surveys, usability testing

Coverage How much of the domain or collection is

indexed

✅ Summary Chart
Aspect Key Points

Features Search tools, relevance ranking, feedback

Component User interface, indexing, vocabulary control

s

Models Boolean, Vector Space, Probabilistic, Fuzzy

Evaluation Precision, Recall, F1 Score, User Feedback

📌 UGC NET Tip:

● Boolean = exact matching

● Vector = ranking based on term weight

● Probabilistic = relevance by probability

● Precision = accuracy, Recall = completeness