Guiding Principles

The essence of the classification is:

1. Classification is performed in terms of phenomena and relationships and properties rather than disciplines.

2. Complex concepts that lend themselves to different understandings across groups or individuals are broken into basic concepts for which there is a much greater degree of shared understanding. Classification occurs in terms of shared understanding.

3. Phenomena are disaggregated usually by ‘type of,’ but occasionally also/instead by ‘elements of.’

4. The disaggregation follows a logical deductive format – grounded in an ontological understanding of the world – but this is supplemented by an inductive ‘literary warrant’ approach – itself informed by an epistemological appreciation of the academy – that ensures that all topics are represented.

5. More precisely, the classification is grounded in a classification of phenomena developed using a mix of induction and deduction in Szostak (Classifying Science, 2004), and has been expanded significantly both by drawing deductively on other logical classifications (notably the Integrative Levels Classification) and inductively from a variety of sources including ontologies, the DDC, and the works of other information scientists such as Farradane, Perrault, and Khoo.

6. Most works are classified as relationships between phenomena: commonly (thing)(relator)(thing). That is, linked notation is used to a much greater extent than in any other classification. This reflects an epistemological understanding that most research investigates relationships (especially causal) among phenomena. Linked notation is also used for ‘properties’ of a thing. The result is a classification that not only conserves on notation but is much more useful to the user. The user is able to search by combinations of things, relators, and properties. [See Linked Notation]

7. Expressive notation is used as much as possible. [See Expressive Notation]

8 Since the schedules are short, things, relators, and properties generally receive short notations. In this way compound notation becomes feasible even for very complex subjects. [Again, see Linked Notation]

9. Note, though, that commonly used compounds can be given a simpler notation if necessary.

10. It is sometimes valuable to indicate that a work is about a particular complex concept rather than the synthetic combination it represents. The 'invisible hand' is a concept used in economics to refer to the forces causing demand and supply to equalize. A work about the concept 'invisible hand,' rather than the forces themselves, could be classed as (concept for)(causing)(supply)(equal)(demand).

11. Cutter numbers are used whenever there are long lists of types of a well-defined class (authors, countries, theories). This is especially useful when the list expands through time.

12. Detailed classifications of methods and theory types are included in the classification of things so that works can be precisely classified in terms of the theories and methods applied as well. Scholars often care not just (or primarily) about what a work is about but what theories and methods were applied. It is at present generally impossible to search by theory or method applied.

13. The intent is to add classifications of the elements of authorial perspective so that works can also be classified in terms of perspective. Some progress has already been made with respect to ideology and ethics.