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The classification takes a ‘faceted’ approach as recommended by almost all contemporary theorists of classification. Yet it appreciates that different facets need to be treated in quite different ways. In particular, it distinguishes facets that apply to a particular phenomenon from facets that apply to a relationship among phenomena. Given the importance of facet analysis, it is useful to relate here how the 13 facets identified within the Bliss Classification are dealt with in this classification. Like Bliss, the treatment of different facets in different ways allows us to eschew the use of dedicated facet indicators:
1) Thing. While Bliss treats ‘Thing’ as the principal foci of interest in a discipline, the Basic Concept Classification is organized around real phenomena that exist in the world (and can thus at least potentially be studied by multiple disciplines). As with Bliss and other classifications, the phenomenon of greatest interest is generally the primary characteristic under which a work is classified (and thus determines its shelf placement
for physical documents).
2) Kind (of thing). When phenomena are disaggregated into subsidiary phenomena in this classification, this is most often done with respect to ‘kinds of x..’ When there is a wide range of possible kinds, then linked notation provides a superior classification device: PI4 (CR) is religious organization (PI4 is organization, CR is religion).
3) Part (of a thing). As with kinds, this facet could be handled by disaggregation (more common in natural science than human science) or linked notation.
4) Property (of a thing). Y – X means ‘X of Y’ as in most classifications, and thus captures this facet (but also some relationships among phenomena as well; the meaning of ‘–‘ proves clear in context).
5) Material (comprising a thing). We would not disaggregate by material but rather use linked notation as with kind of thing above. The precise meaning is again clear in practice because of the existence of recognizable materials within the parentheses.
6) Process. This facet refers to changes in a phenomenon under study. The Basic Concept Classification uses four easily recalled symbols for changes within a phenomenon: ↑ for increase, ↓ for decrease, ↕ for fluctuations or cycles, and ∩ for stability. Others could be added if necessary. See the classification of relationships below.
7) Operation. Here we capture ways in which a phenomenon is influenced from outside. Most of the classification of relationships (below) will capture this sort of facet.
8) Product. Here Bliss captures the results of operations on natural entities. Products are for the most part identified in the Basic Concept Classification by the prefix EO9. Such products are otherwise treated as any other phenomenon would be. As noted above, linked notation can be used to identify the material(s) used in construction or the forces that led to the particular product.
9) By-product. Same as above.
10) Patient. Bliss refers here to ‘intermediate goods’ things that are made only to be transformed into something else. These will also be captured within EO9. Intermediate goods can be captured in a causal chain A causes B causes C.
11)Agent. These are generally individuals, but sometimes tools or institutions. Each of these is classified as phenomena within this classification. Note that we can readily capture different facets in a compact linked notation: <agent> <operation> <product>
12)Space: Any physical (including political boundaries) or spatial dimension. These are coded as N1 in this classification.
13)Time: Any chronological or temporal characteristic: These are coded as N2 in this classification.
The Integrative Levels Classification <www.iskoi.org/ilc> changes the order slightly and adds three new facets:
• Purpose or result. This sort of facet generally describes a relationship and would be captured by a causal relationship: thing relationship thing.
• Pattern (representations, such as a poem about X). This also indicates a compound term and would usually be captured by ‘of’ or ‘in’ or ‘about’
• Modality. This deals with how a phenomenon is perceived. This largely captures elements of the theories and methods employed by scholars. These are clearly signalled by TT and TM. Modality might refer to disciplinary perspective, captured by TF.
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