Canon of Classification | Canons of Library Classification

Canon of Classification | Canons of Library Classification

Library Academy Team
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What is Canon of Classification & Canons of Library Classification

What is the Meaning of Canon: Canon of Classification an established general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged of the classification.

The first use of “Canons of library classification” by W C B Sayers. Then many library science professionals tried to develop Canons of library classification such as E C Richardson, H E Bliss, etc.

Dr. S. R. Ranganathan in his book "Prolegomena to Library Classification" in the year 1937 has presented this Canon as a classification method.

Dr. S. R. Ranganathan has given three levels in order to give scientific and systematic form to the subjects.

01. Ideal Plane

In which we think about work. In Ideal Plane, All aspects of the universe of knowledge are analyzed by a structure, dimension, quality, characteristics, kind of relationship, and bond of strength among each item of knowledge.

02. Verbal Plane

In which you take action or plan. Verbal plane help to decide the type of technology to be used in the scheme of classification.

03. Notational Plane

The notational plane has the responsibility of implementing the findings of the idea plane.

The rotational plane provides the mechanism in the form of a notational system for the helpful and systematic arrangement for existing as well as for unknown subjects in a scheme for classification.

Canon of Classification

01. Canon of ideal plane

A. Canon for characteristic

The classification is arranging according to their likeness or dislike-ness. The different principles that recommended certain characteristics to be selected for the process of classification are called "canons for characteristics". Ranganathan has given the following four canons of characteristics:

(i) Canon of Differentiation

(ii) Canon of Relevance

(iii) Canon of Ascertainability

(iv) Canon of Permanence

(v) Canon  of Consistency

(vi) Canon of Relevant Sequence

(i) Canon of Differentiation

In the classroom, the student may be divided into two distinct groups that are boy and girl on the basis of sex but we cannot divide the class on the basis of such attributes and students on possession of face, because all the individuals of the class share the attributes.

(ii) Canon of Relevance

The Canon of relevance stipulates that a characteristic to the term used as the basis for classification of the universe should be relevant to the purpose of the classification.

For example, in the selection of Sportsman in the playfield, the color beauty would be irrelevant but physical strength and physical fitness are relevant characteristics.

For taking the universe of the book, it suits the need of the library, reader, subject matter, language,  Date of Publication and the author is relevant. The Size, Pages, print, and format are irrelevant.

(iii) Canon of Ascertainability

According to the Canon of ascertainability a characteristic used and the basis for the classification of the Universe should be definite and ascertainable.

The classification must have an attribute that is fixed.

(iv) Canon of Permanence

The Canon Permanence state that characteristic used as the basis for the classification of Universe should continue to be unchanged, so long as there is no change in the purpose of classification.

Like we would classify a rat by its species but not on the basis of color.

(v) Canon of Consistency

In the scheme should be the use some permanent characteristics according to their sequence.

(vi) Canon of Relevant Sequence

In this type of sub-formula, the ordering of the characteristics existing in the classification system of the world of knowledge should be in accordance with the objectives of the classification.

02. Canons of Verbal Plane (Canon of Terminology)

(i) Canon of Context

(ii) Canon of Currency

(iii) Canon of Enumeration

(iv) Canon of Reticence

(i) Canon of Context

According to the canon, the name or meaning of each word in a classification system should be determined by the same name used for the class in question, with reference to different classes of the same initial link.

(ii) Canon of Currency

The term used in a scheme of classification must be the one currently in usage among the Expert/ Users.

(iii) Canon of Enumeration

To understand or determine the meaning of a word in this canon, that categorical single or class (the hierarchical singles/sub-class has been enumerated)

They should be explained well and on their basis, that word should be used. That is, the arrangement of each term in classification systems should be determined by enumeration from classes into categories and series.

(iv) Canon of Reticence 

The term used in a scheme of classification should not be critical.

03. Canon of Succession of Characteristic

According to Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, there can be two or more hidden features to classify the universe of knowledge. which can be used sequentially. Three canons have been used to determine the order of this characteristic.

(i) Canon of Concomitance

(ii) Conon of relevant succession

(iii) Conon of consistent succession

(i) Canon of Concomitance

For the purposes of classification, whichever attribute we have selected for classification, the same result should not be obtained, both the attributes should be different.

As the basis of age and date of birth will be the same, then it should not be used due to being the same.

(ii) Conon of relevant succession

Characteristics suitable for classification should be commensurate with their objectives. When more than one attribute is used for classification, their order should be determined.

For example, The decimal classification has chosen 'Geographical area' and period' as the required characteristics in the main class history. The users of decimal classification should follow the same characteristics in the same succession.

(iii) Conon of Consistent Succession

In any classification method, the sequence of characteristics prescribed should be followed so long as there is no change in the objectives of the classification. Maintains uniformity in classification method. 

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Thanks for the Reading the article on Canon of Classification, Canon of context, Canons for arrays, Canon of exhaustiveness, canons of classification ppt, canons of idea plane with examples, Canons of Characteristics, Canon of Differentiation, Canon of Relevance, Canon of Ascertainability, Canon of Permanence, Canons of Succession of Characteristics, Canon of Concomitance, Canon of Relevant Succession, Canon of Consistent Succession.

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2Comments

  1. Thanks for the Notes, it has helped me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much for helping me understand classification --- planes

    ReplyDelete
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