Facet Analysis: The Evolution of an Idea

Facets are widely encountered in information and knowledge organization, but there is much disparity in the use and understanding of concepts such as facet, facet analysis, and faceted classification. The paper traces the history of these ideas and how they have been employed in different contexts. What may be termed the classical school of faceted classification is given some prominence, through the ideas of Ranganathan and the Classification Research Group, but other interpretations are also explored. Attention is paid not only to the idea of what facet analysis is, and what purpose it serves, but also the language utilized to describe and explain it.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the disparity in the use and understanding of concepts such as facet, facet analysis, and faceted classification in information and knowledge organization. The paper traces the history of these ideas and explores different interpretations. It not only focuses on the concept and purpose of facet analysis, but also on the language utilized to describe and explain it.