Document (#32734)

Author

Bowker, G.C.
Star, S.L.

Title

Sorting things out : classification and its consequences

Imprint

Cambridge, MA : MIT Press

Year

1999

Pages

377 S

Isbn

0-262-02461-6

Series

Inside technology

Abstract

Is this book sociology, anthropology, or taxonomy? Sorting Things Out, by communications theorists Geoffrey C. Bowker and Susan Leigh Star, covers a lot of conceptual ground in its effort to sort out exactly how and why we classify and categorize the things and concepts we encounter day to day. But the analysis doesn't stop there; the authors go on to explore what happens to our thinking as a result of our classifications. With great insight and precise academic language, they pick apart our information systems and language structures that lie deeper than the everyday categories we use. The authors focus first on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), a widely used scheme used by health professionals worldwide, but also look at other health information systems, racial classifications used by South Africa during apartheid, and more. Though it comes off as a bit too academic at times (by the end of the 20th century, most writers should be able to get the spelling of McDonald's restaurant right), the book has a clever charm that thoughtful readers will surely appreciate. A sly sense of humor sneaks into the writing, giving rise to the chapter title "The Kindness of Strangers," for example. After arguing that categorization is both strongly influenced by and a powerful reinforcer of ideology, it follows that revolutions (political or scientific) must change the way things are sorted in order to throw over the old system. Who knew that such simple, basic elements of thought could have such far-reaching consequences? Whether you ultimately place it with social science, linguistics, or (as the authors fear) fantasy, make sure you put Sorting Things Out in your reading pile.

Footnote

Rez. in: Knowledge organization 27(2000) no.3, H.175-177 (B. Kwasnik); College and research libraries 61(2000) no.4, S.380-381 (J. Williams); Library resources and technical services 44(2000) no.4, S.107-108 (H.A. Olson); JASIST 51(2000) no.12, S.1149-1150 (T.A. Brooks)

Theme

Klassifikationstheorie: Elemente / Struktur

Field

Medizin

Object

ICD

LCSH

Knowledge, Sociology of
Classification

RSWK

Wissenssoziologie / Klassifikation

BK

02.10 / Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft
06.70 / Katalogisierung / Bestandserschließung

DDC

001/.01/2 / dc21

LCC

BD175.B68 1999

RVK

MS 6950
CC 4400 Philosophie / Systematische Philosophie / Erkenntnistheorie / Abhandlungen zur Erkenntnistheorie
AN 93400 Allgemeines / Buch- und Bibliothekswesen, Informationswissenschaft / Informationswissenschaft / Grundlagen, Theorie / Klassifikation

Similar documents (author)

1. Bowker, L.: Implementing faceted classification in terminology : a knowledge engineering approach (1994) 5.66

   5.664006 = sum of:
     5.664006 = weight(author_txt:bowker in 511) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       5.664006 = fieldWeight in 511, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         9.06241 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44421)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=511)
   

2. Bowker, L.: Peering through the linguistic keyhole : what can term choice tell us about knowledge organization? (1998) 5.66

   5.664006 = sum of:
     5.664006 = weight(author_txt:bowker in 1046) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       5.664006 = fieldWeight in 1046, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         9.06241 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44421)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=1046)
   

3. Bowker, L.: ¬A corpus-based investigation of variation in the organization of medical terms (2000) 5.66

   5.664006 = sum of:
     5.664006 = weight(author_txt:bowker in 1092) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       5.664006 = fieldWeight in 1092, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         9.06241 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44421)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=1092)
   

4. Bowker, G.C.: ¬The history of information infrastructures : the case of the International Classification of Diseases (1996) 5.66

   5.664006 = sum of:
     5.664006 = weight(author_txt:bowker in 2375) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       5.664006 = fieldWeight in 2375, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         9.06241 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44421)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=2375)
   

5. Bowker, L.: Information retrieval in translation memory systems : assessment of current limitations and possibilities for future development (2002) 5.66

   5.664006 = sum of:
     5.664006 = weight(author_txt:bowker in 2854) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       5.664006 = fieldWeight in 2854, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         9.06241 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44421)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=2854)
   

Similar documents (content)

1. Szostak, R.: Classifying relationships (2012) 0.08

   0.07960207 = sum of:
     0.07960207 = product of:
       0.49751297 = sum of:
         0.019063057 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 2923) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.019063057 = score(doc=2923,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.059569325 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.3148144 = boost
               2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.32001466 = fieldWeight in 2923, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=2923)
         0.063530035 = weight(abstract_txt:classification in 2923) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.063530035 = score(doc=2923,freq=4.0), product of:
             0.1018477 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.3316938 = boost
               3.9921594 = idf(docFreq=2228, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.6237749 = fieldWeight in 2923, product of:
               2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
                 4.0 = termFreq=4.0
               3.9921594 = idf(docFreq=2228, maxDocs=44421)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=2923)
         0.07635869 = weight(abstract_txt:classifications in 2923) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.07635869 = score(doc=2923,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.1596591 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.3613819 = boost
               6.121738 = idf(docFreq=264, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.4782608 = fieldWeight in 2923, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.121738 = idf(docFreq=264, maxDocs=44421)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=2923)
         0.33856118 = weight(abstract_txt:things in 2923) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.33856118 = score(doc=2923,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.46417615 = queryWeight, product of:
               3.6702406 = boost
               6.601601 = idf(docFreq=163, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.7293808 = fieldWeight in 2923, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               6.601601 = idf(docFreq=163, maxDocs=44421)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=2923)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)
   

2. Potnis, D.; Tahamtan, I.; McDonald, L.: Negative consequences of information gatekeeping through algorithmic technologies (2025) 0.07

   0.07441496 = sum of:
     0.07441496 = product of:
       0.3720748 = sum of:
         0.027145118 = weight(abstract_txt:academic in 2411) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.027145118 = score(doc=2411,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.09297279 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.0388696 = boost
               4.6714945 = idf(docFreq=1129, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.2919684 = fieldWeight in 2411, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.6714945 = idf(docFreq=1129, maxDocs=44421)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2411)
         0.015112876 = weight(abstract_txt:used in 2411) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.015112876 = score(doc=2411,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.0720261 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1198857 = boost
               3.3572001 = idf(docFreq=4205, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.20982501 = fieldWeight in 2411, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.3572001 = idf(docFreq=4205, maxDocs=44421)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2411)
         0.008804849 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 2411) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.008804849 = score(doc=2411,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.059569325 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.3148144 = boost
               2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.14780845 = fieldWeight in 2411, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2411)
         0.12949286 = weight(abstract_txt:consequences in 2411) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.12949286 = score(doc=2411,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.18267742 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.4562151 = boost
               6.548176 = idf(docFreq=172, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.7088608 = fieldWeight in 2411, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               6.548176 = idf(docFreq=172, maxDocs=44421)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2411)
         0.19151911 = weight(abstract_txt:things in 2411) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.19151911 = score(doc=2411,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.46417615 = queryWeight, product of:
               3.6702406 = boost
               6.601601 = idf(docFreq=163, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.41260007 = fieldWeight in 2411, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.601601 = idf(docFreq=163, maxDocs=44421)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=2411)
       0.2 = coord(5/25)
   

3. Denton, W.: On dentographs, a new method of visualizing library collections (2012) 0.07

   0.06743768 = sum of:
     0.06743768 = product of:
       0.42148548 = sum of:
         0.026447533 = weight(abstract_txt:used in 1580) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.026447533 = score(doc=1580,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.0720261 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1198857 = boost
               3.3572001 = idf(docFreq=4205, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.36719376 = fieldWeight in 1580, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.3572001 = idf(docFreq=4205, maxDocs=44421)
               0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=1580)
         0.015408487 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 1580) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.015408487 = score(doc=1580,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.059569325 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.3148144 = boost
               2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.2586648 = fieldWeight in 1580, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
               0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=1580)
         0.04447103 = weight(abstract_txt:classification in 1580) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.04447103 = score(doc=1580,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.1018477 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.3316938 = boost
               3.9921594 = idf(docFreq=2228, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.43664244 = fieldWeight in 1580, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.9921594 = idf(docFreq=2228, maxDocs=44421)
               0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=1580)
         0.33515844 = weight(abstract_txt:things in 1580) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.33515844 = score(doc=1580,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.46417615 = queryWeight, product of:
               3.6702406 = boost
               6.601601 = idf(docFreq=163, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.72205013 = fieldWeight in 1580, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.601601 = idf(docFreq=163, maxDocs=44421)
               0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=1580)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)
   

4. Rajan, L.: Ambiguity in knowledge organization : four proposed types (2017) 0.07

   0.065490365 = sum of:
     0.065490365 = product of:
       0.4093148 = sum of:
         0.019688243 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 4872) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.019688243 = score(doc=4872,freq=5.0), product of:
             0.059569325 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.3148144 = boost
               2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.33050975 = fieldWeight in 4872, product of:
               2.236068 = tf(freq=5.0), with freq of:
                 5.0 = termFreq=5.0
               2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4872)
         0.0440149 = weight(abstract_txt:classification in 4872) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.0440149 = score(doc=4872,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.1018477 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.3316938 = boost
               3.9921594 = idf(docFreq=2228, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.43216392 = fieldWeight in 4872, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               3.9921594 = idf(docFreq=2228, maxDocs=44421)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4872)
         0.07476274 = weight(abstract_txt:consequences in 4872) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.07476274 = score(doc=4872,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.18267742 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.4562151 = boost
               6.548176 = idf(docFreq=172, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.409261 = fieldWeight in 4872, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.548176 = idf(docFreq=172, maxDocs=44421)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4872)
         0.27084893 = weight(abstract_txt:things in 4872) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.27084893 = score(doc=4872,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.46417615 = queryWeight, product of:
               3.6702406 = boost
               6.601601 = idf(docFreq=163, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.5835046 = fieldWeight in 4872, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               6.601601 = idf(docFreq=163, maxDocs=44421)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4872)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)
   

5. Basden, A.; Burke, M.E.: Towards a philosophical understanding of documentation : a Dooyeweerdian framework (2004) 0.07

   0.065195546 = sum of:
     0.065195546 = product of:
       0.40747216 = sum of:
         0.13817611 = weight(abstract_txt:throw in 5428) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.13817611 = score(doc=5428,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.18817706 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.0450846 = boost
               9.398883 = idf(docFreq=9, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.73428774 = fieldWeight in 5428, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               9.398883 = idf(docFreq=9, maxDocs=44421)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5428)
         0.018891096 = weight(abstract_txt:used in 5428) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.018891096 = score(doc=5428,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.0720261 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1198857 = boost
               3.3572001 = idf(docFreq=4205, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.26228127 = fieldWeight in 5428, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.3572001 = idf(docFreq=4205, maxDocs=44421)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5428)
         0.011006062 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 5428) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.011006062 = score(doc=5428,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.059569325 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.3148144 = boost
               2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.18476056 = fieldWeight in 5428, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5428)
         0.2393989 = weight(abstract_txt:things in 5428) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.2393989 = score(doc=5428,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.46417615 = queryWeight, product of:
               3.6702406 = boost
               6.601601 = idf(docFreq=163, maxDocs=44421)
               0.019157507 = queryNorm
             0.5157501 = fieldWeight in 5428, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.601601 = idf(docFreq=163, maxDocs=44421)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5428)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)