An analysis of orientedness in cataloging rules

Abstract

This paper proposes an approach to the analysis of cataloging rules, in particular, rules for bibliographic description, in terms of orientedness, a concept employed to explore directiveness or inclination of a characteristic toward a given objective or function. First, some categories of orientedness are extracted from the general objectives and functions of description indicated in cataloging rules and other documents, and other categories of orientedness are extracted from other parts of the cataloging rules. Second, the principles of description and the bibliographic elements established in current cataloging rules are assessed in terms of the previously mentioned orientedness. Third, the extent to which each individual rule for description, which mainly prescribes methods to transcribe a bibliographic element, can be explained is investigated in terms of orientedness with respect to each of the rules contained in Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules. And finally, possible alternatives to each existing rule are shown, along with the difference in orientedness among those alternatives, and a possible rule set is demonstrated when a given category of orientedness is maximized. This paper assesses the validity and usefulness of the proposed approach and reviews its problems and issues as well.