[Sigcr-l] defining classification

[Hjørland Birger]

enclosed a relevant source and a quotation from the same concerning the
definition of classification.

Kind regards, 
Birger Hjørland




 
H. Feger (2001). Classification: Conceptions in the Social Sciences
International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, pp.
1966-1973.




 Classifiation is the assignment of objects to classes.   
.....
.....
  Depending on the research tradition, the objects to be classified into a
system are called elements, cases, units, exemplars, specimens or items.
They are the sources or `carriers' of properties, characteristics or
variables. These properties may be dichotomous or polytomous, qualitative or
quantitative. A property can only be useful in a classification, if it
varies within the set of objects, that is, if at least two different values
(categories, states, labels) on the respective property occur in the sample.
When more than one property is used to characterize an object, the object
can be described as a vector of values, a profile, a set of symptoms, or a
pattern of features.    The crucial assumption underlying classification is
that objects are elements of a class, of a set, of a partition or-in
biology-of a taxon. In other terminologies, the terms `category' or
`cluster' are also used. 

Classification is the process of finding classes and of assigning entities
to these classes. The endproduct of this order-creating process, however, is
often also referred to as `classification.' To stress this distinction, the
term `classification system' can be used for the end-product, although in
clinical psychology and biology the word `taxonomy' is more common.
Identification is the assignment of a specific case or object to (usually
only) one of the classes. 


-----Original Message-----
From: lewallep at who.int
To: sigcr-l at asis.org
Sent: 30-07-04 09:14
Subject: [Sigcr-l] FW: Seeking definition

The World Health Organization is active in developing and maintaining
such
classifications as, i.a. the International Classification of Diseases
(ICD),
the International Classification of Functioning, disability and Health
(ICF)
and the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).
They
are used essentially for statistical purposes (epidemiology) and for
health
system management purposes (planning and resource allocation).
The question was raised recently by a group of collaborating centres
from
various countries as to a proper definition of classification. Scores of
definitions have been collected from a variety of sources. Partners have
their own preferences and reservations about each of them. Could anybody
assist in selecting one matching the end products that the community of
Member States have endorsed as international public goods.
Thanks.
World Health Organization, Geneva
Pierre Lewalle
Measurements and Health Information (MHI)
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