classification scheme
Let an agent explain and apply classification schemes, choose or design a scheme for a purpose, and map between schemes.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
Researched by: Claude
Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled
4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions
Understand How a scheme works.
Structure
Structure.
Structure
Structure.
- How is this scheme structured, and what criteria define its classes? definition
- Who maintains it, and how is it versioned? provenance
Classify
Applying the scheme.
Classify
Applying.
- Under which class does this item fall in the scheme? definition
- Is the assignment ambiguous? boundary
Choose Selecting a scheme.
Select
Which scheme.
Select
Selection.
- Which existing scheme suits this collection or purpose? action
- Should a hierarchical or faceted scheme be used? boundary
Design
Designing a scheme.
Design
Design.
- How should a new classification scheme be designed and documented? action
- Which standards guide vocabulary design? provenance
Map Between schemes.
Mapping
Mapping classes.
Mapping
Mapping.
- How does this class map to another scheme, and are the mappings exact or approximate? definition
- Which crosswalks exist? provenance
Terms
Term lists.
Terms
Terms.
- Which controlled vocabulary defines this scientific or technical term? provenance
- How are terms updated? provenance
Examples Notable schemes.
Cases
Well-known schemes.
Cases
Examples.
- How do schemes such as library classifications, taxonomies and component designations differ? provenance
- What can be learned from their design? provenance
Limits
Limits of classification.
Limits
Limits.
- Which things resist classification, and how do schemes handle them? boundary
- How is bias in classification addressed? provenance
Classifiers Filled
- Family
- Thing Registry
- Category
- Information and virtual systems
- Entry kind
- thing
- Plane
- INF
- Domain
- INF.KNW
- Other names and narrower kinds
- vacuum tube designation system, scientific term, physics term, cartographic term, computer science term, geological term, chemical term, typology item, knowledge classification, safety classification, NFDI Conference Classification System, rock classification
What it is Filled
A structured system for organising things, concepts or terms into classes according to defined criteria, such as library classifications, taxonomies, industry and product codes, designation systems for components, and controlled vocabularies of scientific terms; classification schemes support retrieval, comparison and standardisation.
Why it exists Filled
Let an agent explain and apply classification schemes, choose or design a scheme for a purpose, and map between schemes.
Distinguishing features Filled
- Defined classes
- Criteria for membership
- Hierarchical or faceted
- Maintained by an authority
What robots and AI may and may not do Filled
Must not
- Invent codes or classes and present them as part of an official scheme.
- Apply an outdated version without saying so.
- Use a classification of people in a way that discriminates against them.
- Change a shared scheme without the maintainer's process.
Only with a human decision
- Reclassifying records in ways that change tax, legal or benefit outcomes.
May
- Apply a classification scheme as documented by its maintainer, citing the version.
- Map codes between schemes when the mapping is published.
Moral aspects Filled
- Classifications shape what is seen and counted; biased categories marginalise people.
- Wrong codes in trade, health or statistics have real financial and legal effects.
Who is affected
- People classified by it
- Users of the data
- Maintainers of the scheme
Owners Filled
Steward
The body that maintains each scheme.
Master systems
- Official code lists of the maintaining bodies
Links to other meta-models Filled
parent
- Q12775893 - registry parent class
related
- scheme - category
- information science - field
- cardinality - set concepts
- encyclopedia - knowledge organisation
What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled
Identity and identifiers required Filled
- Vercy registry: vr.tr.classification-scheme
- Wikidata: Q5962346 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5962346)
Direct properties not applicable Not applicable
Not applicable
Plane INF: no invented physical properties.
Recognition optional Filled
- Classes with criteria
- Codes or labels
- A list without structure is not a scheme
- Not physical; hierarchies, codes and vocabularies.
Capabilities and actions required Filled
- explain how a scheme is structured
- classify an item under a scheme
- choose or design a scheme
- map between schemes
Hazards and failure modes required Filled
- Ambiguous criteria
- Outdated schemes
- Mismapping between schemes
Standards and interfaces required Filled
- ISO 25964 on thesauri and vocabularies
- Standards maintaining specific schemes
Context of use required Filled
- Organising knowledge and things.
- library classifications
- scientific taxonomies
- industry and product classifications
- component designation systems
- controlled vocabularies and term lists
Sources Missing, in the backlog
Not described yet. This gap is in the card backlog.
Note: Written from model knowledge without web access; claims are unverified.
Open questions
- Should each major scheme be a separate entry?
- How should scheme registries be linked?
- How should mappings be maintained?
Machine files
Provenance
thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed
Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q5962346/spec.json