Identifying Significant Changes in Serials with Title Changes in the Recognition of New Works

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to develop a means for identifying significant subject and function changes in serials with title changes and then to recommend ways to recognize new serial works in cataloging. A sample of serials with title changes was used to classify the underlying subject and function changes found into thirty-five subcategories, which were then each assigned a level (high, medium, or low) according to the evidence provided for a new work. The FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) concept of a work and other FRBR guidelines were used in assigning the levels. It was determined that three high-level subject changes and one high-level function change provided the best evidence of significant change in recognizing a new work. Tests were performed to determine whether multiple medium-level changes could also be used to identify new works. A recommendation was made to modify the RDA (Resource Description and Access) rules for major change in the title proper of a serial to require a new access point only when a significant subject or function change has occurred in one of the four high-level subcategories identified in the study.