Is there a standard default keyword operator? A bibliometric analysis of processing options chosen by libraries to execute keyword searches in online public access catalogs
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb047938 |
| Pages | 71-81 |
| Published date | 01 April 1994 |
| Date | 01 April 1994 |
| Author | Gary M. Klein |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Is THERE A STANDARD
DEFAULT KEYWORD OPERATOR?
A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF PROCESSING OPTIONS CHOSEN BY LIBRARIES
TO EXECUTE KEYWORD SEARCHES IN ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGS
Gary M. Klein
Online catalogs from 67 libraries using NOTIS
software were searched using Internet
connections to determine the positional operators
selected as the default keyword operator on each
catalog. The diverse results indicated that there
is no standard default positional operator.
INTRODUCTION
There is a growing trend by library automation
suppliers to claim that their version of OPAC software
is compatible with the Z39.50 standard protocol
developed by the National Information Standards
Organization. Z39.50 is a series of operational proto-
cols that allows different processing systems to interface
with one another in order to search databases and
retrieve information resources. A key link in the
functionality of the Z39.50 standard is a common
command language interface that may be transparent
to the person issuing a search request to several
different databases. At the same time, some library
automation vendors specifically offer clients the option
to customize certain aspects of each library's online
public access catalog. This article explores the extent
to which purchasers of NOTIS Systems' online catalog
software chose dissimilar processing options for
executing keyword searches. The author's hypothesis
is that there is no standard amongst NOTIS users as
to the "default" keyword operator. A bibliometric
analysis of 67 NOTIS installations in three countries
was conducted using Internet connections to access each
OPAC, and then a series of uniform keyword searches
was executed on each online catalog. The author's
hypothesis
is
supported by the findings of this research.
The bibliometric data may be useful when comparing
potential outcomes for choosing a default keyword
operator.
Klein is
the
business subject specialist for
the
biblio-
graphic instruction department, Carlson Library, Universi-
ty of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio.
— Is THERE A STANDARD DEFAULT KEYWORD OPERATOR? — ISSUE 48
—
12:4 (1994) 71
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