Comprehensive rules, guidelines, and examples are provided for use by ERIC indexers and lexicographers in creating and using Identifiers, and in developing and maintaining the ERIC Identifier file via the "Identifier Authority List (IAL)." Identifiers and the IAL are defined/described: Identifiers are highly specific entities, including most proper nouns/noun phrases, for which Thesaurus control is unnecessary--they may also be new concepts, under consideration, or awaiting approval, for admission to the ERIC Thesaurus; the IAL lists all current Identifiers and serves as a companion volume or supplement to the Thesaurus. An initial discussion distinguishes Identifier editing procedures between the ERIC database's two subfiles, RIE and CIJE, and differentiates the roles of the ERIC Clearinghouses and the ERIC Facility in IAL maintenance. The next section presents general guidelines/rules applying to all Identifiers (e.g., capitalization, punctuation, length, word form). This is followed by detailed instructions relating to each of twenty specific Identifier categories: Conferences/Meetings; Curriculum Areas; Equipment (including Computers and Software); Facilities; Geographic Locations; Groups (Ethnic); Groups (Occupations); Groups (Other); Health-Related (including Psychology); Historical/Special Events; Languages/Linguistics; Laws/Legislation; Methods/Theories; Miscellaneous; Organizations/Institutions; Personal Names; Projects/Programs; Science and Technology; Tests/Testing; Titles (Literary and Artistic). (JH)