The Thesaurus as an Indexing and Retrieval Tool in Information Systems

Abstract

Thesauri are among the most significant tools employed for managing and retrieving information. This is due to their ability to ensure effective document analysis during both input and processing, thereby guaranteeing the accuracy of information retrieval. Furthermore, a thesaurus enables the indexer to represent the subject matter contained in information resources in a standardized and organized manner. It also links the terms used by both the researcher and the indexer, serving as a practical tool for both, from which they benefit during information searches.

Therefore, thesauri ensure retrieval accuracy while also benefiting researchers, as they provide linguistic and semantic guidance, and maintain a parallel, logical, and coherent structure that supports both the researcher and the indexer during the indexing process. Thus, thesauri are indispensable tools for documentation languages and the subject-based processing of documents and information resources within information systems.

This study aims to highlight the significance and structure of thesauri, introduce the current state of thesauri in Arab countries, and explore how information technology has supported their development, particularly through the enhancement of this tool on the Internet. It also reviews the most important programs that have contributed to the overall construction of thesauri, especially Arabic thesauri, as well as the main challenges faced by Arabic thesauri online, given the growth and linguistic development of knowledge disciplines. Consequently, the study addresses the evolution of thesaurus structures and the presentation of content descriptors and terminology. Ultimately, it discusses key practices observed in the Arab world regarding Arabic thesauri within libraries and information systems.