Structure

Syndetic Structure in Legal Information Retrieval

The following is a basic concept of Syndetic Structure in relation to information retrieval. In addition to this, Syndetic Structure may be applied to legal texts, including case law, legislation and scholarly works. Syndetic structure consists of cross-reference links between descriptors or headings in an indexing system. Syndetic comes from the Greek words syn for together and dein for to bind or tie. Thus, the syndetic structure ties or binds the individual descriptors or headings into a complete and connected access system. Syndetic structure results from vocabulary control and management, whereby cross references are created linking synonymous, equivalent, broader, narrower, or other related descriptors or headings.