Page 33 - DLIS002_KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGUING THEORY

Knowledge Organization: Classification and Cataloguing Theory

Notes 2.2 Segments

Segment is a part of the universe of knowledge that harbours a subject and sometimes acts as a
component of a subject system.

2.2.1 Characteristics of Segments

The segments comprising the UoK have some characteristics which may be enumerated as
below:
(i) A segment is born simultaneously with the birth of a subject.

(ii) A segment does not possess a constant shape or size. Both may undergo change with the
passage of time.
(iii) There are four categories of segments such as objects, action, space and time. The segments
are briefly described:
Object segment includes all nouns, except space and time. An object may be concrete,
e.g. an author; or abstract, e.g. mathematics. It may be animate, e.g. a tiger; or
inanimate, e.g. a mineral. The content of a segment will be a subject. All these
objects can have qualifiers. Examples – poet Rabindranath, pig iron, theoretical
physics, etc.
Action segment includes verbs. Of course, the subject heading takes the form of a
verbal noun. Examples: Diagnosis, treatment, classification, cataloguing, etc. The
content of the segment can also become a subject. All actions can also have qualifiers.
Examples: X-ray diagnosis, heat treatment, broad classification, prenatal cataloguing,
rapid cooling, slow burning, etc.

Space segment includes geographical as well as astronomical space. Examples –
India, Delhi, sky, space, etc. The content of the segment can become a subject. Like
object and action, space can also have qualifiers. Examples: North India, south Delhi,
blue sky, dark space, etc.

Time segment includes time in all its manifestations. Examples – century, year,
month, season, etc. The content of the segment can become a subject. Example: Year
2007. This segment can also have qualifiers. Examples – 20th century, calendar year,
productive month, spring season, etc.
(iv) A segment harbours a subject and has its own identity, location (viewed from different
angles, the location seems different) and comfortably separated by space from one another.
(v) All segments are bound by invisible bonds. It is not possible to predict at what time and
location, bonds between two or more segments will become stronger, and they will share
some areas to give rise to a new segment.
(vi) As far as consistency is concerned, there are three categories of segments. Segments of the
first category are well-formed having more or less identifiable size and shape,
well-recognized by the academic bodies, and taught in academic institutions, e.g., physics.
The segments in formative stage fall in the second category, e.g. nanotechnology. They
are yet to take a definite shape, and are at different stages of development. Some might
have been recognized by the academic community and are on the verge of finding a place
in the school or college curriculum. The third category is nebulous, e.g. astrology, palmistry.
Despite having their more or less identifiable size and shape, they are not generally
recognized by the academic community; neither they find a place in regular school or
college curriculum.

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