Indexing and AI
Posted on: 27/03/2024
There’s rampant speculation about the impact of AI on many aspects of publishing. Here, indexer Tanya Izzard looks at the possible implications of AI for indexing. Definitions and how it works Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be defined as technology that can mimic cognitive functions associated with human intelligence. Generative AI is a type of AI
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Becoming an indexer 4: the pre-qualification indexing assignment (PIA)
Posted on: 01/12/2023
Once you’ve completed the training course modules and tutorials, and passed the necessary assessments, the final stage before you start your professional indexing career is to complete the pre-qualification indexing assignment, known as the PIA. What is the PIA? The PIA is an index to a complete book or document of your choice, of about
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Becoming an indexer 3: tutorials, workshops and other support
Posted on: 24/11/2023
This post follows on from the overview of the training course modules and explains how the other aspects of the SI training course – online tutorials, workshops, practice exercises and advice and support – will help you prepare for a career as an indexer. Support available throughout the course The training course website includes quizzes
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Becoming an indexer 2: the Society of Indexers training course modules
Posted on: 17/11/2023
Are you thinking about training as an indexer? This is the first of three blog posts that give an overview of the Society of Indexers training course. It gives an overview of the different elements of the course and describes the modules that deliver the theoretical content of the course. About the training course The
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Becoming an indexer: what makes a good indexer?
Posted on: 10/11/2023
This is the first of a series of posts discussing how to become an indexer. In this post, Tanya Izzard discusses the attributes of a good indexer. Background Many indexers come from a library and information science background, but almost any previous career will give you knowledge and experience that will help you find your
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Qualities of a Bad Index
Posted on: 27/10/2023
In this post, Ruth Martin outlines the things that shouldn’t appear in an index. Write a bad index… us?! Surely members of the Society of Indexers couldn’t write a bad index? Well, they could, but only in fun. In 2022, Society members took part in a peer review, indexing the same piece of text and
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Qualities of a Good Index
Posted on: 20/10/2023
In this blog post, Lyndsay Marshall looks at the qualities of a good index and identifies resources which discuss the topic in more depth. The post covers international standards, best practice guidelines and competition judging criteria. International Standards In order to define the qualities of a good index we can turn to the international standards
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Commissioning an indexer (Part 3)
Posted on: 24/03/2023
How to evaluate an index: guidance for authors and editors When you have commissioned an index for your book, either directly or via your publisher, there should be a moment towards the end of the book production process where you are asked to review the index. In the third and final post in this series,
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Commissioning an indexer (Part 2)
Posted on: 17/03/2023
The indexing process: before, during and afterwards In our first post in this series, we looked at finding and booking an indexer. In this second post of three, Tanya Izzard takes you through the indexing process. What does your indexer need from you? You’ve booked your indexer and are waiting for the work to take
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Commissioning an indexer (Part 1)
Posted on: 10/03/2023
Finding and booking an indexer The first series of posts for the new SI blog takes you through the process of finding an indexer, commissioning an index and reviewing it. Here, Tanya Izzard discusses the process of finding and booking your indexer. How to find your indexer When you need to find an indexer, your
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