Book•
Prolegomena to Library Classification
01 Jan 1967-
About: The article was published on 1967-01-01 and is currently open access. It has received 431 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Library of Congress Classification & Dewey Decimal Classification.
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TL;DR: The facet-analytic paradigm is probably the most distinct approach to knowledge organization within Library and Information Science, and in many ways it has dominated what has be termed ''modern classification theory''.
Abstract: The facet-analytic paradigm is probably the most distinct approach to knowledge organization within Library and Information Science, and in many ways it has dominated what has be termed ''modern classification theory''. It was mainly developed by S.R. Ranganathan and the British Classification Research Group, but it is mostly based on principles of logical division developed more than two millennia ago. Colon Classification (CC) and Bliss 2 (BC2) are among the most important systems developed on this theoretical basis, but it has also influenced the development of other systems, such as the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) and is also applied in many websites. It still has a strong position in the field and it is the most explicit and ''pure'' theoretical approach to knowledge organization (KO) (but it is not by implication necessarily also the most important one). The strength of this approach is its logical principles and the way it provides structures in knowledge organization systems (KOS). The main weaknesses are (1) its lack of empirical basis and (2) its speculative ordering of knowledge without basis in the development or influence of theories and socio-historical studies. It seems to be based on the problematic assumption that relations between concepts are a priori and not established by the development of models, theories and laws.
91 citations
Additional excerpts
...‘‘Synthesis’’: combining the relevant units and concepts to describe the subject matter of the information package in hand.3 In the example above, books about mathematics in different periods and countries may be analyzed: Basic subject: Mathematics....
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...Example: Mathematics (Ranganathan, 1967, 83)....
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...…ranked isolates of lower order (upper links) belonging to the same primary chain as the class or the ranked isolate denoted by the term in question’ (Ranganathan, 1967, 208) tend to leave some doubt as to what Ranganathan is trying to say (i.e. that a term’s meaning and context depend upon its…...
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...They are, for example, space and time (In the example ‘‘Indian 20th Century Mathematics,’’ India and 20th Century are respectively space and time isolates)....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a framework of an approach to designing and synthesizing research studies in human information behavior and incorporate Ranganathan's framework for knowledge organization, which considers personality, matter, energy, space, and time.
91 citations
TL;DR: Results support the assertion that the scheme for classifying and describing business components and the design of a knowledge-based repository for their storage and retrieval is effective in enhancing the users' and analysts' ability to find the needed business components.
Abstract: Component-based development (CDB) promises to reduce complexity and cost of software development and maintenance through reuse. For CBD to be successful, a vibrant market for commercial business components is essential. One of the key requirements of an active market for business components is an effective scheme for classifying and describing them at various levels of detail, as well as a corresponding repository for storing and retrieving these components. Such a scheme needs to support various constituents such as business users, managers, and application assemblers. The scheme and repository should help users and managers to select components that match their requirements and aid application assemblers in identifying components most compatible with their deployment environment (such as the platform) and system inputs (such as data types). Drawing from the concepts of group technology and software reuse paradigm, this paper proposes a scheme for classifying and describing business components and the design of a knowledge-based repository for their storage and retrieval. The proposed scheme is implemented in a prototype repository. The effectiveness of the prototype and the underlying classification and coding scheme is assessed empirically through controlled experiments. Results support the assertion that the scheme is effective in enhancing the users' and analysts' ability to find the needed business components.
88 citations
Cites methods from "Prolegomena to Library Classificati..."
...We draw from existing concepts in manufacturing and software engineering disciplines in proposing a C&C scheme for business components....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: This paper argues that a shift has taken place, and suggests that contemporary classification research focus on contextual information as the guide for the design and construction of classification schemes.
Abstract: This paper surveys classification research literature, discusses various classification theories, and shows that the focus has traditionally been on establishing a scientific foundation for classification research. This paper argues that a shift has taken place, and suggests that contemporary classification research focus on contextual information as the guide for the design and construction of classification schemes.
87 citations
TL;DR: The authors explores the ramifications of which characteristics are used to define classifications and in what order, and explains the primacy of division by discipline, its origins in Western philosophy, and the cultural specificity that results.
Abstract: The idea of sameness is used to gather material in classifications. However, it is also used to separate what is different. Sameness and difference as guiding principles of classification seem obvious but are actually fundamental characteristics specifically related to Western culture. Sameness is not a singular factor, but has the potential to represent multiple characteristics or facets. This article explores the ramifications of which characteristics are used to define classifications and in what order. It explains the primacy of division by discipline, its origins in Western philosophy, and the cultural specificity that results. The Dewey Decimal Classification is used as an example throughout.
76 citations