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Dissertation Information for Geraldine Matthews

NAME:
- Geraldine Matthews

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- Case Western Reserve University (USA) (1980)

ADVISORS:
- Phyllis A. Richmond

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Sarah Scott Gibson
- James E. Rogers
- Patsy A. Gerstner

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: The Influence of Ranganathan on Faceted Classification

Abstract: Facet analysis, as a technique for bibliographic organization, has developed from rather obscure beginnings and has evolved into a known and acclaimed method in modern classification research. Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan pioneered in the development of the application of this method. His influence on faceted classification has been widespread and he had a collection of ideas concerning classification purpose, method and theory.This study was made in order to determine some of the reasons why some of his ideas have influenced modern classification practice while others have been either ignored or rejected. A further attempt was made to discover the influences on and influences of Ranganathan through an historical bibliographical analysis and interpretation of the spread of ideas.

The score of this work was limited to an analysis of published books and articles relating to work of Ranganathan including editions of the Colon Classification and works about it, faceted classification and unpublished letters. The time period, 1930 until 1970, was chosen because the first published work of Ranganathan appeared in 1931 and by 1970 the notion of faceted classification was well known.

Not unexpectedly, this study revealed that Ranganathan was influenced by the earlier works of librarians. Evidence of acceptance of his technique of facet analysis is shown by the number of special schemes created with it and by the development of at least one general classification in which it is paramount. During the same period a number of scholars began to write about his ideas, discuss his work, and develop special schemes leading to much greater dissemination of his notions.

Despite this, Ranganathan's own Colon Classification hardly was considered although it was the most recent of the general classification systems to be devised, and probably the most innovative. The theories he put forth in the course of making the system were not universally understood because the language was sometimes unclear. The quaintness of some of his expressions led people to complain of obscurity. The faceting process has either been adopted or reinvented by information scientists without acknowledgment of a connection to Ranganathan.

This study was a beginning attempt to investigate Ranganathan's influence in faceted classification. The full impact of his contribution has yet to be realized, when all of the evidence is in there might appear other areas of Ranganathan's thought which should be studied.

MPACT Scores for Geraldine Matthews

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:01:19

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Students under Geraldine Matthews

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None