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Faceted classification and logical division in information retrieval
Library Trends, Wntr, 2004 by Jack Mills
The conspicuous absentee in the alphabetical subject catalog is the inclusion relation, generic or partitive, which is the bedrock of the classified index. Ideally, systems like those above would be supplemented by a comprehensive classification with a structure compatible with the principles of the relator system. Perhaps because, theoretically at least, the specific alphabetical subject heading reflects the natural language more closely than that of the classified index, the terminology used for them also reflects linguistic terms; the relations between the terms are variously called syntactic, syntagmatic, and analytic. The terms used to describe the generic inclusion relation are variously semantic, paradigmatic, generic, and hierarchical; the concept of specification (see Section 7.3) is called predication in SYNTOL and differencing in PRECIS.
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12. 4. The thesaurus
This is now well-established as an IR tool that provides a controlled language for postcoordinate systems (although it is possible to conceive its structure being accommodated within that of the A/Z index to a classification). Because its use of compound terms (bound terms) is severely limited, the problem of citation order is minimal. The situation regarding connectives is almost identical to that in the conventional lists of subject headings but is usually treated in much more detail. The inclusion relation is covered by BTs and NTs; the scale of provision of other relations (associative relations) is less predictable. The relevance of an attendant faceted classification system is obvious, and this is considered in general terms by Aitchison, Gilchrist, & Bawden (1997) and specifically in relation to BC2 by Aitchison (1986). Fugmann (1994) gives a lengthy and illuminating review of a special thesaurus utilizing classificatory principles.
APPENDIX 1
OUTLINE OF BLISS BIBLIOGRAPHIC CLASSIFICATION (BC2)
* See Section 5.2.
* 13 volumes have been published; 2 are in the press. All other classes have detailed drafts in an advanced state, awaiting finalization before publication.
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