Is classification necessary after Google?

• Published in: Journal of documentation Vol. 68; no. 3; pp. 299 - 317
• Main Author: HJORLAND, Birger
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bingley Emerald Group Publishing Limited 01.01.2012; Emerald
• Subjects: Algorithms; Citation indexes; Classification; Classification schemes; Computers; Criteria; Decisions; Dewey Decimal Classification; Digital libraries; Electronic Libraries; Exact sciences and technology; Indexing; Information and communication sciences; Information retrieval; Information Science; Information science. Documentation; Information Scientists; Knowledge organization; Librarianship; Libraries; Library and information science; Library and information science. General aspects; Library catalogs; Library of Congress Subject Headings; Metadata; Online Catalogs; Online Systems; Ontology; Public access; Relevance feedback; Research methodology; Sciences and techniques of general use; Scientists; Search engines; Strategy; Studies; Theory; Theory Practice Relationship; Library practice; Knowledge organisation; Epistemology; Classification; Knowledge; Search engine
• DOI: 10.1108/00220411211225557
• ISSN: 0022-0418

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine challenges facing bibliographic classification at both the practical and theoretical levels. At the practical level, libraries are increasingly dispensing with classifying books. At the theoretical level, many researchers, managers, and users believe that the activity of "classification" is not worth the effort, as search engines can be improved without the heavy cost of providing metadata.Design methodology approach - The basic issue in classification is seen as providing criteria for deciding whether A should be classified as X. Such decisions are considered to be dependent on the purpose and values inherent in the specific classification process. These decisions are not independent of theories and values in the document being classified, but are dependent on an interpretation of the discourses within those documents.Findings - At the practical level, there is a need to provide high-quality control mechanisms. At the theoretical level, there is a need to establish the basis of each decision, and to change the philosophy of classification from being based on "standardisation" to being based on classifications tailored to different domains and purposes. Evidence-based practice provides an example of the importance of classifying documents according to research methods.Originality value - Solving both the practical (organisational) and the theoretical problems facing classification is necessary if the field is to survive both as a practice and as an academic subject within library and information science. This article presents strategies designed to tackle these challenges.