Classification Made Simple: An Introduction to Knowledge Organisation and Information Retrieval (3rd edition)

Citation

Robinson, C. (2010), "Classification Made Simple: An Introduction to Knowledge Organisation and Information Retrieval (3rd edition)", Records Management Journal, Vol. 20 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/rmj.2010.28130cae.001

Classification Made Simple: An Introduction to Knowledge Organisation and Information Retrieval (3rd edition)

Classification Made Simple: An Introduction to Knowledge Organisation and Information Retrieval (3rd edition)

Article Type: Professional resources From: Records Management Journal, Volume 20, Issue 3

Eric J. Hunter,Ashgate,2009,ISBN 978-0-7546-7558-7,

Keywords: Information retrieval, Knowledge, Classification, Indexing

Classification is an important aspect of managing and retrieving information and is often discussed in overly complex language. As a student I remember being daunted by texts on classification and indexing. In contrast to my experiences, students today have a wonderful introduction to the concepts and practices in classification and indexing, and this text lives up to its title: classification can be made simple and understandable!

Eric Hunter’s updated book is clearly designed as an introductory reader for students, but experienced practitioners will also find it a useful text to refer to when working on schemas or when requiring a refresher on the concepts of classification and taxonomies. The simple language and style of the book is aided by the many relevant examples of classification scheme included within throughout the text, including extracts from published classification schemes such as the CI/SfB Construction Indexing Manual (a faceted classification scheme), ACM Computing Classification System (a hierarchical classification scheme) and Dewey Decimial Classification (an enumerative scheme).

Hunter takes the reader through a simple explanation of classification and then moves into a detailed study of faceted, hierarchical, and enumerative classification schemes. Each of the 14 chapters builds on the earlier chapters and takes the reader into detailed understandings of the various classification schemes; the allocation of notation; schedule and citation order; the relationship between classification, thesauri, and indexing; and the use of classification in searching and retrieving information. I was particularly interested in the last chapter, which covers the use of classification in internet search engines, such as Google, and will perhaps make classification relevant to current students who view the web 2.0 world as one that does not require the structure or discipline of classification schemes. At the end of each chapter the reader is encouraged to read further on the chapter topic with handy lists of further readings.

My only criticism of this splendid introductory text is that it does not extend its scope into discussions of how the recordkeeping profession has been using classification for the management of records over the last 15 years. I was disappointed to read about the use of subject-based hierarchical enumerative schemes for manual office filing systems. The International Standard on Records Management (ISO 15489 – 2002) includes classification as a key aspect in managing records over time and providing the connection/linkages/context between records and the business activities which create the records. This was a lost opportunity to examine classification for recordkeeping purposes and discuss how and why it differs from subject-based classification schemes. The brief discussion on Dublin Core metadata could also be broadened to encompass a discussion on the inclusion of recordkeeping classification as a key component in metadata schemas used to manage records over time. Perhaps the fourth edition might encompass these other developments in classification.

Catherine RobinsonState Records NSW, Sydney, Australia