1. 1 ISO/IEC 11179, Part 2: Classification Schemes Jim Carpenter Bureau of Labor Statistics Metatopia 2001 Conference September 20 – 21, 2001

2. 2 Agenda What is a classification scheme? What is a “well-formed” classification scheme? How to register a classification scheme? Within the context of a ISO 11179 Metadata Registry, answer three questions:

3. 3 Items to classify Classification Groups

4. 4 What is a classification scheme? Thing Part Registered Item Anything with parts that can be related to registered items Simplification of the model:

5. 5 Trivial Example Classification scheme: bag of potato chips Part: a potato chip Registered items: data elements in EPA’s registry Clearly, this is slicing a bit thin. More characteristics are needed for a “well-formed classification scheme”

6. 6 Must be an Information System Artifact Describes subject domain or other IS artifacts –Data model, org chart, activity diagram, computer program, database, key word list, thesaurus, ontology, … Has statements that use designations to represent concepts (ISO 704 and 1087)

7. 7 Additional Characteristics Consistent with the intensions of the registry Globally unique identifier Unique name within each language Clear application scope (Name Context) Parts cover the scope of application

8. 8 Characteristics of Parts Uniquely identified parts (globally) Descriptive names Clear boundaries Appropriate granularity

9. 9 Characteristics of Relationships Among Parts Clear and unambiguous Are subtypes of –Hierarchy Generic, or Partitive –Association

10. 10 How to Register a Classification Scheme Record a set of attributes –Administrative attributes –Classification scheme attributes –Attributes of each part –Attributes of each relationship between parts.

11. 11 Administrative Attributes Globally unique identifier Many other attributes described in part 3

12. 12 Classification Scheme Attributes Name Language of the Name Description of subject field (context) Language of description of subject field Type of structure

13. 13 Attributes of the Part Type of part Value Attributes of the Part Relationship Type of relationship

14. 14 Summary What is a classification scheme? –A thing with parts that can be related to items What is a “well-formed” classification scheme? –A classification scheme with characteristics that are useful for good classification How to register a classification scheme –Record attributes that are useful for sharing