Document (#37300)

Author

Buckland, M.K.

Title

Obsolescence in subject description

Source

Journal of documentation. 68(2012) no.2, S.154-161

Year

2012

Abstract

Purpose - The paper aims to explain the character and causes of obsolescence in assigned subject descriptors. Design/methodology/approach - The paper takes the form of a conceptual analysis with examples and reference to existing literature. Findings - Subject description comes in two forms: assigning the name or code of a subject to a document and assigning a document to a named subject category. Each method associates a document with the name of a subject. This naming activity is the site of tensions between the procedural need of information systems for stable records and the inherent multiplicity and instability of linguistic expressions. As languages change, previously assigned subject descriptions become obsolescent. The issues, tensions, and compromises involved are introduced. Originality/value - Drawing on the work of Robert Fairthorne and others, an explanation of the unavoidable obsolescence of assigned subject headings is presented. The discussion relates to libraries, but the same issues arise in any context in which subject description is expected to remain useful for an extended period of time.

Theme

Inhaltsanalyse

Similar documents (author)

1. Buckland, M.K.: Information as thing (1991) 4.88

   4.878167 = sum of:
     4.878167 = weight(author_txt:buckland in 1113) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       4.878167 = fieldWeight in 1113, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         7.805067 = idf(docFreq=48, maxDocs=44218)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=1113)
   

2. Buckland, M.K.: Agenda for online catalog designers (1992) 4.88

   4.878167 = sum of:
     4.878167 = weight(author_txt:buckland in 1493) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       4.878167 = fieldWeight in 1493, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         7.805067 = idf(docFreq=48, maxDocs=44218)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=1493)
   

3. Buckland, M.K.: Bibliography, library records, and the redefinition of the library catalog (1988) 4.88

   4.878167 = sum of:
     4.878167 = weight(author_txt:buckland in 1494) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       4.878167 = fieldWeight in 1494, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         7.805067 = idf(docFreq=48, maxDocs=44218)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=1494)
   

4. Buckland, M.: Emanuel Goldberg, electronic document retrieval, and Vannevar Bush's Memex (1992) 4.88

   4.878167 = sum of:
     4.878167 = weight(author_txt:buckland in 2340) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       4.878167 = fieldWeight in 2340, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         7.805067 = idf(docFreq=48, maxDocs=44218)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=2340)
   

5. Buckland, M.K.: Combining electronic mail with online retrieval in a library context (1987) 4.88

   4.878167 = sum of:
     4.878167 = weight(author_txt:buckland in 4079) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       4.878167 = fieldWeight in 4079, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         7.805067 = idf(docFreq=48, maxDocs=44218)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=4079)
   

Similar documents (content)

1. Hider, P.: Familial authorship in the Anglo-American cataloging tradition (2007) 0.10

   0.10372199 = sum of:
     0.10372199 = product of:
       0.51860994 = sum of:
         0.098994695 = weight(abstract_txt:name in 785) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.098994695 = score(doc=785,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.15592751 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.6846983 = boost
               5.746245 = idf(docFreq=383, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.6348764 = fieldWeight in 785, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               5.746245 = idf(docFreq=383, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=785)
         0.12994418 = weight(abstract_txt:assigning in 785) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.12994418 = score(doc=785,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.23552085 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.070501 = boost
               7.062158 = idf(docFreq=102, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.5517311 = fieldWeight in 785, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               7.062158 = idf(docFreq=102, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=785)
         0.062556535 = weight(abstract_txt:description in 785) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.062556535 = score(doc=785,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.16560382 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.1263833 = boost
               4.835176 = idf(docFreq=954, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.37774813 = fieldWeight in 785, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.835176 = idf(docFreq=954, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=785)
         0.12810124 = weight(abstract_txt:assigned in 785) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.12810124 = score(doc=785,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.2670489 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.7002366 = boost
               6.140059 = idf(docFreq=258, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.4796921 = fieldWeight in 785, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.140059 = idf(docFreq=258, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=785)
         0.09901329 = weight(abstract_txt:subject in 785) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.09901329 = score(doc=785,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.32438293 = queryWeight, product of:
               5.1546125 = boost
               3.9070187 = idf(docFreq=2415, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.30523583 = fieldWeight in 785, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.9070187 = idf(docFreq=2415, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=785)
       0.2 = coord(5/25)
   

2. Losee, R.: ¬A performance model of the length and number of subject headings and index phrases (2004) 0.10

   0.10136491 = sum of:
     0.10136491 = product of:
       0.50682455 = sum of:
         0.015379681 = weight(abstract_txt:paper in 3725) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.015379681 = score(doc=3725,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.0567749 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.0165739 = boost
               3.467376 = idf(docFreq=3749, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.27088875 = fieldWeight in 3725, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.467376 = idf(docFreq=3749, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3725)
         0.06190341 = weight(abstract_txt:document in 3725) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.06190341 = score(doc=3725,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.13052337 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.8877763 = boost
               4.2926083 = idf(docFreq=1642, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.4742707 = fieldWeight in 3725, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               4.2926083 = idf(docFreq=1642, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3725)
         0.12994418 = weight(abstract_txt:assigning in 3725) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.12994418 = score(doc=3725,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.23552085 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.070501 = boost
               7.062158 = idf(docFreq=102, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.5517311 = fieldWeight in 3725, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               7.062158 = idf(docFreq=102, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3725)
         0.12810124 = weight(abstract_txt:assigned in 3725) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.12810124 = score(doc=3725,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.2670489 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.7002366 = boost
               6.140059 = idf(docFreq=258, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.4796921 = fieldWeight in 3725, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.140059 = idf(docFreq=258, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3725)
         0.17149605 = weight(abstract_txt:subject in 3725) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.17149605 = score(doc=3725,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.32438293 = queryWeight, product of:
               5.1546125 = boost
               3.9070187 = idf(docFreq=2415, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.52868396 = fieldWeight in 3725, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               3.9070187 = idf(docFreq=2415, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3725)
       0.2 = coord(5/25)
   

3. Ilik, V.: Distributed person data : using Semantic Web compliant data in subject name headings (2015) 0.09

   0.094786204 = sum of:
     0.094786204 = product of:
       0.39494252 = sum of:
         0.04684686 = weight(abstract_txt:named in 2292) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.04684686 = score(doc=2292,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.10987742 = queryWeight, product of:
               6.82169 = idf(docFreq=130, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.42635563 = fieldWeight in 2292, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.82169 = idf(docFreq=130, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2292)
         0.017400123 = weight(abstract_txt:paper in 2292) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.017400123 = score(doc=2292,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.0567749 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.0165739 = boost
               3.467376 = idf(docFreq=3749, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.30647564 = fieldWeight in 2292, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               3.467376 = idf(docFreq=3749, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2292)
         0.055999853 = weight(abstract_txt:name in 2292) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.055999853 = score(doc=2292,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.15592751 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.6846983 = boost
               5.746245 = idf(docFreq=383, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.3591403 = fieldWeight in 2292, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               5.746245 = idf(docFreq=383, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2292)
         0.035017855 = weight(abstract_txt:document in 2292) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.035017855 = score(doc=2292,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.13052337 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.8877763 = boost
               4.2926083 = idf(docFreq=1642, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.26828802 = fieldWeight in 2292, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.2926083 = idf(docFreq=1642, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2292)
         0.102481 = weight(abstract_txt:assigned in 2292) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.102481 = score(doc=2292,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.2670489 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.7002366 = boost
               6.140059 = idf(docFreq=258, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.3837537 = fieldWeight in 2292, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.140059 = idf(docFreq=258, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2292)
         0.13719684 = weight(abstract_txt:subject in 2292) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.13719684 = score(doc=2292,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.32438293 = queryWeight, product of:
               5.1546125 = boost
               3.9070187 = idf(docFreq=2415, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.42294717 = fieldWeight in 2292, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               3.9070187 = idf(docFreq=2415, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2292)
       0.24 = coord(6/25)
   

4. Brown, M.E.: By any other name : accounting for failure in the naming of subject categories (1995) 0.09

   0.091057315 = sum of:
     0.091057315 = product of:
       0.56910825 = sum of:
         0.070270285 = weight(abstract_txt:named in 5598) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.070270285 = score(doc=5598,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.10987742 = queryWeight, product of:
               6.82169 = idf(docFreq=130, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.63953346 = fieldWeight in 5598, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.82169 = idf(docFreq=130, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5598)
         0.07671144 = weight(abstract_txt:explanation in 5598) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.07671144 = score(doc=5598,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.11649325 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.0296655 = boost
               7.0240583 = idf(docFreq=106, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.65850544 = fieldWeight in 5598, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               7.0240583 = idf(docFreq=106, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5598)
         0.15644597 = weight(abstract_txt:naming in 5598) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.15644597 = score(doc=5598,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.14869404 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1633022 = boost
               7.935687 = idf(docFreq=42, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             1.0521334 = fieldWeight in 5598, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               7.935687 = idf(docFreq=42, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5598)
         0.26568055 = weight(abstract_txt:subject in 5598) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.26568055 = score(doc=5598,freq=5.0), product of:
             0.32438293 = queryWeight, product of:
               5.1546125 = boost
               3.9070187 = idf(docFreq=2415, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.81903374 = fieldWeight in 5598, product of:
               2.236068 = tf(freq=5.0), with freq of:
                 5.0 = termFreq=5.0
               3.9070187 = idf(docFreq=2415, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5598)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)
   

5. Vizine-Goetz, D.: OCLC investigates using classification tools to organize Internet data (1998) 0.09

   0.085833296 = sum of:
     0.085833296 = product of:
       0.53645813 = sum of:
         0.07003571 = weight(abstract_txt:document in 2342) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.07003571 = score(doc=2342,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.13052337 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.8877763 = boost
               4.2926083 = idf(docFreq=1642, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.53657603 = fieldWeight in 2342, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.2926083 = idf(docFreq=1642, maxDocs=44218)
               0.125 = fieldNorm(doc=2342)
         0.20791069 = weight(abstract_txt:assigning in 2342) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.20791069 = score(doc=2342,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.23552085 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.070501 = boost
               7.062158 = idf(docFreq=102, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.88276976 = fieldWeight in 2342, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               7.062158 = idf(docFreq=102, maxDocs=44218)
               0.125 = fieldNorm(doc=2342)
         0.10009045 = weight(abstract_txt:description in 2342) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.10009045 = score(doc=2342,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.16560382 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.1263833 = boost
               4.835176 = idf(docFreq=954, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.604397 = fieldWeight in 2342, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.835176 = idf(docFreq=954, maxDocs=44218)
               0.125 = fieldNorm(doc=2342)
         0.15842128 = weight(abstract_txt:subject in 2342) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.15842128 = score(doc=2342,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.32438293 = queryWeight, product of:
               5.1546125 = boost
               3.9070187 = idf(docFreq=2415, maxDocs=44218)
               0.016107067 = queryNorm
             0.48837733 = fieldWeight in 2342, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.9070187 = idf(docFreq=2415, maxDocs=44218)
               0.125 = fieldNorm(doc=2342)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)