Developing the system of interconnected classifications: Comparing the State Rubricator of Sci-tech Information and Universal Decimal Classification

Abstract

The authors discuss the findings of the study to compare relevant master versions of the State Rubricator of Sci-tech Information and Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) in Russian. The classifications are compared through the method of intellectual analysis of intrinsic and semantic characteristics of SRSTI subject headings and UDC main schedules and its general and special subdivision tables. The UDC compound numbers are assigned to over the half of all rubrication vertexes. Over one third of SRSTI headings are assigned the compound UDC numbers made of two+ simple or compound numbers. The semantic matches between SRSTI headings and assigned UDC numbers are established as logical match, inclusion or extension overlapping with provision for terminological, structural and semantic features of the classifications being compared, as well as of the substance of the subject areas and their indexing principles. The interreflection of SRSTI and UDC numbers is executed in three types of relations: equivalence, hierarchy, association. Based on the analysis of coefficients of distribution by types of relations between semantic SRSTI headings and UDC numbers, the conclusion is made on the relatively high matching of terminology and structure of the given classification systems in almost every thematic class of subject areas. The value of the study is that the “converter” between SRSTI and UDC is to expand functionality of the interrelated classifications.Russian National Public Library for Science and Technology, within the framework of the Government Order No. 075-01235-23-01, R&D theme No. 1021070112681-2-1.2.1;5.8.3, has been pursuing research for building the single network of links between classifications, development of “converters” between them for the purpose of computer-aided thematic systematization, and integration of dispersed information resources. The State Rubricator of Scientific and Technical Information (SRSTI) is the core classification of the unified networked classification links.