| Abstract: | The problem addressed in this paper is that of simplifying access point determination. A critique is made of the simple, mechanical rule whereby every name appearing in certain designatable locations within a publication qualifies as an access point. Then a more acceptable version of the every-name-an-access-point rule is tested empirically against a sample of 400 English language monographs. Conclusions reached concern (1) the responsibility profiles of these monographs, i.e., how many authors, editors, illustrators and emanators are typically associated with them and in what combinations, and (2) the relative productivity of different locations within them, e.g., title pages and tables of contents, as sources of access points. The study was conceived to be exploratory in nature and its findings suggest further research that could be done to provide empirical validation for rules for access point determination. |
