Subject analysis and control

As is probably obvious to many of you, 025.431—a prominent part of the name of this blog—is the number in the Dewey Decimal Classification for the Dewey Decimal Classification.  If “the most significant changes [in the January 2009 New and Changed Entries (in Word and PDF formats)] involve revisions in 025.4,” it should then come as no surprise that we have recently revised our treatment of subject analysis, which includes classification schemes and subject indexing. 

One significant change we made was to provide a number for Abstracting at 025.41; previously, abstracting was treated as an auxiliary technique of subject analysis.  Additionally, comprehensive works on abstracting and subject indexing, such as Explorations in indexing and abstracting pointing, virtue, and power, are classed in the new number.

The distinction formerly made between subject indexing and subject cataloging has been eliminated; the merged subject is now found at 025.47 Subject cataloging and cataloging.  Just as the schedule has long recognized a distinction between general classification systems (in 025.43) and subject-specific classification systems (in 025.46, using notation 001-999 to express the subject), changes now make clearer that general subject indexing and cataloging systems are classed in 025.47, while subject-specific subject indexing and cataloging systems are classed in 025.49 (again using notation 001-099 to express the subject).  For example, A women's thesaurus: An index of language used to describe and locate information by and about women is classed in 025.493054 (built with 025.49 plus 305.4 Women).  General subject cataloging and indexing systems in specific languages are classed in 025.472–025.479, using notation from Table 6 to express the language.  For example, Schlagwortnormdatei (SWD), the German general subject heading system, is classed in 025.4731 (built from 025.47 plus notation T6—31 German).

Subject indexing and cataloging may be based on either a controlled vocabulary (which remains in 025.47) or natural language (found in a thoroughly revised 025.48).  A new development has been added under 025.48 for Tagging at 025.487. 

Comments

[Sian Williams]

Hi,
could you please clarify for me what the Dewey number should be of a book which provides brief biographies of late 20th/early 21st century heroes and heroines ?

We have this book in our small school library and we can't quite figure out where to shelve it :-)