Research Topics & Essay Methodology in Cataloging & Classification

A Summary of the Literature, 1995–

Compiled by the Research and Publications Committee of the ALCTS Cataloging and Classification Section

2003

This compilation of short essays by the Research and Publications Committee (RPC) members summarizes and provide commentaries on recent research in cataloging and classification. This is not a comprehensive literature review. Rather the focus is on further possibilities for research. The essays are not peer-reviewed.

RPC members, working on assigned topics, have reviewed the published literature and described research accomplished from 1995 to date. Some members' essays include suggestions of future research topics, and all include citations to the most important articles. The compilation is intended as an informal, practical tool for those in search of a useful research topic or a quick review of recent research.

The committee will reassess the topics each year, adding new ones as time permits and updating individual essays as necessary. Old essays will have their dates closed out. New topics will be added as research begins to emerge.

Suggestions for writing an essay:

• Review any existing essay.
• Perform a literature search. Cast your net as widely as possible. Consider:
  • Library Literature
  • Library and Information Sciences Abstracts
  • Charles Bailey's Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography
  • Journals on your topic in library science and other related fields
  • New monographs on your topic (including conference publications)
  • Be sure to consider electronic resources, online discussion groups, presentations, etc.
• Many sources begin with a survey of the current literature and include a section on areas for further study or research. Refer to these sections as well as areas for further study that the article provokes in your own mind.
• The essay should include a bibliography of articles consulted.

   Essay Topics

• Authority Control
  1995–1998; 1999–2003
• Changing Roles of Professional and Paraprofessional Catalogers
  1990–2000
• Cataloging Electronic Resources
  1999–2001; 2002–2004 (.pdf); 2005–2006
• Federated Search Engines
  2001–2003
• Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR)
  2002–2004
• Metadata Systems
  1995–2000; 2000–2001; 2004–2006
• Outsourcing
  1995–1998
• Personnel, Education, and Training
  1994–1998; 1999–2004
• Subject Indexing and Classification
  1995–1998; 1998–2001; 2002–2007
• Technological Applications in Cataloging
  1995–1999
• Use and Contents of Catalogs and Other Databases
  1996–1997; 1998–2001
• Vendor-Supplied Bibliographic Records
  2000–2007