Document classification as a theoretical problem of documentology

Abstract

The changes and amendments to the general document classification as a theoretical problem of document studies and documentology, are discussed. The document in the meaning “recorded information” is the subject of classification. The author examines the faceted-block classification of document based on various characteristics united into six clusters: “Types of documents physical carrier”, “Types of documents by document acquisition circumstances”, “Types of documents by information representational and transfer tools (by signative component)”, “Types of documents by information reception (perceptive component)”, “Types of documents by their environmental circumstances”. The document classification within each facet is independent which enables to characterize any document in various parameters. The changes and amendments are made to the general document classification based on increasing number and weight of electronic documents including digital versions of originally non-digital documents. The refined general classification is to facilitate special classification in particular types (classes, groups) of documents. The general document classification is applicable to various scientific disciplines within documentology, and to teaching documentological disciplines.