LIS 415: Information Organization

Contact Information

Instructor: Daniel N. Joudrey
E-mail: joudrey@simmons.edu
Office: P-205B
Phone: (617) 521-2863


Unit 9: Categorization, Classification, and Arrangement

Symbolic representation of subject concepts and categorization of concepts are examined and presented as additional means for providing subject access to information resources.

Topics: Categorization, Hierarchical Classification, Faceted Classification, Dewey Decimal Classification, Library of Congress Classification, Cuttering and Book Numbers

  • Why do humans categorize?
  • How is subject content expressed symbolically in bibliographic records?
  • How is categorization used in the arrangement of information packages and surrogate records?
  • What is the role of automatic classification in organizing information?
  • What purposes are served by classification schemes?
  • How are the major classification schemes organized?
  • What are the weaknesses and strengths of the major classification schemes?
  • How can categorization be used in the organization of Web resources?

Required Readings

Week 1

Taylor & Joudrey, The Organization of Information, Chapter 11

Langridge, Classification, pp. 1-23.

"Ten Taxonomy Myths" http://www.montague.com/review/myths.html

Hider & Harvey, Organising Knowledge in a Global Society, Chapter 7

Week 2

Taylor & Joudrey, The Organization of Information, Appendices B & C

Mann, Oxford Guide to Library Research, Chapter 3

Chan, Dewey Decimal Classification, Chapters 1-2

The Straight Dope Column: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mdeweydecimal.html

Petroski, The Book on the Bookshelf, Appendix


Relevant Articles from The Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science, 3rd ed.

 

Beghtol, "Classification Theory"

Foskett, "Facet Analysis [ELIS Classic]"

Grove, "Taxonomy"

McIlwaine, "Universal Decimal Classification (UDC)"

Mitchell and Vizine-Goetz, "Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)"

Olson, "Social Influences on Classification"

Satija and Singh, "Colon Classification"


Recommended Readings

 

Gorman, "The Longer the Number, the Smaller the Spine..."

Sapiie, "Reader-Interest Classification..."

Classification Research Group, "The Need for a Faceted Classification..."

What is an Artificial Neural Network?" http://www.nd.com/welcome/whatisnn.htm


Vocabulary

  • Accession number
  • Broad classification
  • Call number
  • Category
  • Classical theory of categorization
  • Classification
  • Classification notation
  • Classification schedule
  • Classification scheme
  • Classification table
  • Close classification
  • Closed stacks
  • Colon classification
  • Cutter number
  • Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
  • Enumerative classification
  • Expansive classification
  • Facet
  • Faceted classification
  • Fixed location
  • Fuzzy set theory of categorization
  • Hierarchy
  • Hierarchical classification
  • Library of Congress Classification (LCC)
  • Literary warrant
  • Location device
  • Notation
  • Open stacks
  • Prototype theory of categorization
  • Relative location
  • Shelving
  • Scope note
  • Universal Decimal Classification (UDC)

Course Outline


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