[Sigcr-l] FWD: defining classification

[Marcia Lei Zeng]

Tuesday, August 03, 2004 9:02 AM  
From:  martin <martin at ics.forth.gr>    
To:   mzeng <mzeng at kent.edu>  
Cc:   NKOS <NKOS at dli2.nsf.gov>  
Subject:  RE: FWD: [Sigcr-l] defining classification

    Dear Birger,

    The definition below fits somehow with the definition in Knowledge
    Representation.
    To my understanding, library classification systems are narrower: They try 
in
    addition
    to define a set of disjoint classes, so that each object can be uniquely
    assigned to
    one most specialized class. So, polyhierarchies and multiple 
classifiaction is
    avoided.

    Best,

    Martin

    mzeng at KENT.EDU wrote:

    >
    > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    >
    > Subject:
    >
    > [Sigcr-l] defining classification
    > From:
    >
    > ?ISO-8859-1?Q?Hjørland_Birger? <BH at db.dk>
    > Date:
    >
    > Mon, 02 Aug 2004 09:49:30 +0200
    > To:
    >
    > "'lewallep at who.int '" <lewallep at who.int>, "'sigcr-l at asis.org '"
    > <sigcr-l at asis.org>
    >
    >
    > 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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    >


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