Q. This is a query about indexing. Please see the following example and advise:
hypotheses, 153–54
characteristics of, 154
See also research; variables
. . .
research
characteristics of, 154
data collection, 170
hypotheses, 153–54
Now, “hypotheses” is a subentry under “research” (and refers to the same pages). In such a case, do we need to retain the “see also,” since it points to another entry (“variables”) as well? How do we avoid repetition of “hypotheses” here? Please suggest alternatives.
A. Include a term under “see also” only if the entry you are directing the reader to gives additional information about the first entry. There’s no point in sending the reader to another entry that turns out to be a duplicate of the first. When you think about it, it’s just plain mean.