In informal studies made by Michael Brackney and reported in "On Sorting Index Headings: Quandaries and Queries" Key Words v3 n5, word-by-word alphabetization is preferred 6-to-1! I do a similar study when I teach indexing classes, and the results are the same - the majority of participants naturally alphabetize word-by-word. But which makes browsing the index easier? See for yourself.
Browse through each of the following for the heading "social security". In which arrangement was it easier to find?
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Letter-by-letter: |
Word-by-word: |
Social exchange Socialism Socialization Social learning theory Social life and customs SocialScene (rock band) Social security Social welfare |
Social exchange Social learning theory Social life and customs Social security Social welfare Socialism Socialization SocialScene (rock band) |
Consider this arrangement, presented by Michael Brackney in "On Sorting Index Headings: Quandaries and Queries" Key Words v3 n5. Browse through each for the heading "news rooms". In which arrangement was it easier to find?
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Letter-by-letter: |
Word-by-word: |
New Age Journal New, Allie Newark newborns New Brunswick New England new-fashioned devices Newfoundland N.E. Winter Company New, Michael new moon new/old continuum New Orleans Newport New Rochelle news news agencies newspapers news rooms New Statesman news stories Newsweek Newton, Isaac New York |
N.E. Winter Company New Age Journal New, Allie New Brunswick New England new-fashioned devices New, Michael new moon new/old continuum New Orleans New Rochelle New Statesman New York Newark newborns Newfoundland Newport news news agencies news rooms news stories newspapers Newsweek Newton, Isaac |