Thesaurofacet
The term "thesaurofacet" was coined by Aitchison et al. (1969) as the combination of a faceted classification and a thesaurus.
Aitchison (1970) describes a faceted classification and
thesaurus covering engineering and related scientific, technical, and management
subjects. A novel feature of the system is the integration of the classification
schedules and thesaurus. Each term appears both in the thesaurus and in the
schedules. In the schedules the term is displayed in the most appropriate facet
and hierarchy: the thesaurus supplements this information by indicating
alternative hierarchies and other relationships which cut across the classified
arrangement. The thesaurus also controls word forms and synonyms and acts as the
alphabetical index to the class numbers. The resulting tool is multipurpose, as
easily applicable to shelf arrangement and conventional classified card
catalogues as to co-ordinate indexing and computerized retrieval systems. The
reasons are given for modifying certain traditional facet techniques, including
the choice of traditional disciplines for main classes, the lack of a 'built-in'
preferred order, and the use, in certain instances, of enumeration rather than
synthesis to express multi-term concepts.. Methods of application of the
Thesaurofacet in
pre-coordinate and
post-coordinate systems are discussed and brief account is given of the
techniques employed in its compilation.
"It was not until the appearance of the Thesaurofacet (Aitchison et al., 1969) that the advantage for indexing and retrieval was clearly demonstrated in the combination of a faceted classification and thesaurus in the same volume, having a one-to-one correspondence between facets and descriptors." (Gilchrist, 2003, p. 9).
Literature:
Aitchison, J. (1970). The thesaurofacet: A multipurpose retrieval language tool. Journal of Documentation. 26(1), 187–203.
Aitchison, J.; Gomersall, A. & Ireland, R. (1969). Thesaurofacet: A Thesaurus and Faceted Classification for Engineering and Related Subjects. Whetstone, Leicester: English Electric Company.
Gilchrist, A (2003). Thesauri, taxonomies and ontologies - an etymological note. Journal of Documentation 59(1), 7-18.
Birger Hjørland
Last edited: 25-06-2006