Abstracting and Indexing

Abstracting and indexing are two different ways of distilling content into an abbreviated form. An abstract is a summary of a document, whereas an index acts as a guide to it.

What is the difference between abstracting and indexing?

An abstracting database prepares a summary of the core content of documents to enable users to determine whether or not they need to read the entire text. An abstract is a shortened version of the original piece. They are often accessible via a subscription and will be on a particular subject, or selection of subjects.

An indexing service analyses the content of documents and provides a guide to the information contained in them. It will contain subject terms and headings while also describing the content and main themes. An indexed document also enables users to locate the original.

In essence, indexes provide entries which enable you to locate information, while abstracts summarize content while making sure that all the essential details are included.

What do indexes do?

• Enable users to familiarize themselves with a document and decide if they need to explore it further 
• Act as a selection guide to content
• Are a tool for document analysis
• Create a link between users and the creator of the original information
• Save time – it is much easier for a user to find relevant information when it is indexed
• Make the information widely available and easy to access
• Act as in information retrieval tool for organizations such as libraries and archives

What do abstracts do?

• Assist readers in deciding whether or not to read a full text
• Enable users to note the important findings on a topic – abstracts contain complete bibliographic citations, so they are useful when it comes to writing up research
• Allow librarians/readers to locate information quickly and to cross-reference
• Save time because researchers can have a clear overview of a document without having to read the entire text