Which step is NOT part of the complete reference process?

In the context of the complete reference process, the correct choice identifies indexing as the step that is not typically included. The complete reference process ordinarily involves several critical steps to assist patrons in finding the information they need. These include query formulation, where the librarian helps define and clarify the user's question; finding resources, which involves locating the appropriate materials or databases that provide the needed information; and evaluation, where the information gathered is assessed for quality, relevance, and reliability.

Indexing, while a crucial aspect of information organization in libraries and databases, is not a direct step in the reference process itself. It refers to the method by which materials are cataloged and made accessible for retrieval, rather than a part of the interactive process between the librarian and the patron aimed at fulfilling an information need. Therefore, knowing the distinction between these processes helps clarify the roles and functions within a library setting.