Essential classification / Vanda Broughton.

Machine generated contents note: 1. Introduction -- 2. The need for classification -- 3. First principles of classification -- Grouping -- ordering -- compound subjects -- problems of linear order -- citation order -- distributed relatives -- 4. The variety of classification: systems and structures -- Scientific classifications -- taxonomies -- tree structures -- folk classifications -- bibliographic classifications -- aspect classifications -- 5. The classification scheme: internal structure -- Grouping of concepts -- hierarchy -- semantic relationships -- syntactic relationships -- pre-coordination -- 6. Types of classification scheme -- Enumerative classifications -- t̀op-down' classifications -- analytico-synthetic classifications -- faceted classifications -- b̀ottom up' classifications -- 7. Order in the classification scheme -- Main classes -- phenomena classes -- main class order -- schedule order and filing order -- general-before-special.

Note continued: literary warrant and educational consensus -- notation -- notational symbols -- expressiveness -- mnemonics -- flexibility and hospitality -- 8. Content Analysis I : Document Description -- The problem of àboutness' -- where to look for content -- constructing the document description -- sought terms -- common categories of terms (place, time, form, persons) -- ordering the description -- 9. Content analysis 2: practical constraints -- Broad and close classification -- specificity and exhaustivity -- difficult subjects -- biography -- primary texts -- 10. Controlled indexing languages -- Natural language indexing and searching -- the meaning of words -- synonyms and homonyms -- sought terms -- controlled indexing languages -- standards for document description -- 11. Word-based approaches to retrieval -- Subject heading lists -- thesauri -- alphabetical arrangement -- synonymy and related matters -- form and structure of subject headings.

Note continued: modern developments in subject indexing -- 12. Library of Congress Subject Headings I : Basic Headings -- History of LCSH -- literary warrant -- Cutter's Rules and the form of entry -- uniform headings -- valid headings -- thesaural cross references -- selecting headings -- multiple-headings -- entering headings onto a record -- 13. Library of Congress Subject Headings 2: structured headings -- Topical subdivisions -- pattern headings -- geographical subdivisions -- free-floating subdivisions -- name headings -- 14. Classification scheme application -- Appearance of classification schemes -- the index -- the schedules -- classes -- captions and headings -- schedule layout -- scope notes -- instructions -- 15. Library of Congress Classification I: basic classmark construction -- History of LCC -- general principles -- literary warrant -- enumerative classification -- alphabetization -- notation -- practical classification -- Cutter numbers.

Note continued: 16. Library of Congress Classification 2: use of tables -- Tables -- content of tables -- how tables work -- geographical subdivision -- form subdivision -- subject subdivision -- tables for classes using Cutter numbers -- tables embedded in the schedules -- tables used in combination -- 17. Dewey Decimal Classification I: general properties and basic numbers -- History DDC -- structure of DDC -- hierarchy -- notation -- compound subjects and number building -- citation order -- preference order -- practical classification -- using the relative index -- first-of-two rule and the rule of three -- approximating the whole -- 18. Dewey Decimal Classification 2: number building -- Use of tables -- standard subdivisions -- place and time -- persons -- adding notations from the main schedules -- 19. Universal Decimal Classification I: general properties and basic number building -- History of UDC -- structure of UDC -- an analytico-synthetic classification.

Note continued: notation -- symbols -- expressiveness -- schedule display -- main tables -- number-building -- the colon -- the plus sign -- the oblique stroke -- 20. Universal Decimal Classification 2: auxiliary tables -- Systematic auxiliary tables -- language, form, place, ethnicity, time, materials, persons -- special auxiliaries -- language and literature -- 21. Faceted classification -- History of facet analysis -- building blocks of classification -- fundamental categories -- arrays -- relationships between terms -- citation order -- schedule order -- inversion -- notation -- facet indicators -- retroactive notation -- 22. Managing classification -- Management and maintenance of schemes -- revision -- costs of classification -- copy cataloguing and outsourcing -- print and electronic format -- choosing a classification -- general versus special schemes -- 23. Classification in digital space -- Classification as models -- electronic forms of classifications.

Note continued: classifying digital material -- information architecture -- classification for online browse and search -- folksonomy -- automatic classification -- visualization tools -- faceted classification -- the semantic web.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 399-405) and index.

Classification is an essential skill for all information workers but a difficult concept to grasp - and it's even more difficult to put that theory into practice. This practical guide shows the reader how to go about classifying a document from scratch. Essential Classification guides the novice cataloguer through the practice of subject cataloguing, with an emphasis on practical document analysis and classification. It deals with fundamental questions as to the purpose of classification in different situations, and the needs and expectations of end users. The reader is introduced to the ways in which document content can be assessed, and how this can best be expressed for translation into the language of specific indexing and classification systems. The characteristics of the major general schemes of classification (LCC, DDC, UDC and BC1) are discussed and their suitability for different classification needs. Some basic issues of theory are included to support practical considerations. The emphasis in the chapters on the major classification schemes is on the practical application of those schemes. Key areas discussed are: the purpose of classification / the rightness of classification / controlled indexing languages concept based retrieval and word based retrieval / the structure of classification / varieties of classification 1: the enumerative scheme / varieties of classification 2: the analytico-synthetic scheme / varieties of classification 3: the faceted scheme / management aspects of classification / the need for classification. After reading this book the novice cataloguer will understand the purpose of classification, will be able to choose the best classification scheme to use for their purposes and will have practical experience of the application of those schemes using real documents, practical exercises and worked examples. Readership: This is essential reading for library school students, novice cataloguers and all information workers who need to classify but have not formally been taught how. The book also offers practical guidance to those concerned with the design and maintenance of subject tools: computer scientists, and information and intranet managers.-- Provided by Publisher.