This study aims to understand the epistemic foundation of the classification applied in the first Chinese library catalogue, the Seven Epitomes (Qilue).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand the epistemic foundation of the classification applied in the first Chinese library catalogue, the Seven Epitomes (Qilue).
Design/methodology/approach
Originating from a theoretical stance that situates knowledge organization in its social context, the study applies a multifaceted framework pertaining to five categories of textual data: the Seven Epitomes; biographical information about the classificationist Liu Xin; and the relevant intellectual, political, and technological history.
Findings
The study discovers seven principles contributing to the epistemic foundation of the catalogue's classification: the Han imperial library collection imposed as the literary warrant; government functions considered for structuring texts; classicist morality determining the main classificatory structure; knowledge perceived and organized as a unity; objects, rather than subjects, of concern affecting categories at the main class level; correlative thinking connecting all text categories to a supreme knowledge embodied by the Six Classics; and classicist moral values resulting in both vertical and horizontal hierarchies among categories as well as texts.
Research limitations/implications
A major limitation of the study is its focus on the main classes, with limited attention to subclasses. Future research can extend the analysis to examine subclasses of the same scheme. Findings from these studies may lead to a comparison between the epistemic approach in the target classification and the analytic one common in today's bibliographic classification.
Originality/value
The study is the first to examine in depth the epistemic foundation of traditional Chinese bibliographic classification, anchoring the classification in its appropriate social and historical context.
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Feifei Wang, Tina J. Jayroe, Junping Qiu and Houqiang Yu
The purpose of this paper is to further explore the co-citation and bibliographic-coupling relationship among the core authors in the field of Chinese information science (IS), to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to further explore the co-citation and bibliographic-coupling relationship among the core authors in the field of Chinese information science (IS), to expose research activity and author impact, and to make induction analyses about Chinese IS research patterns and theme evolution.
Design/methodology/approach
The research data include 8,567 papers and 70,947 cited articles in the IS field indexed by Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index from 2000 to 2009. Author co-citation analysis, author bibliographic-coupling analysis, social network analysis, and factor analysis were combined to explore co-citation and bibliographic-coupling relationships and to identify research groups and subjects.
Findings
Scholars with greatest impact are different from the most active scholars of Chinese IS; there is no uniform impact pattern forming since authors’ impact subjects are scattered and not steady; while authors’ research activities present higher independence and concentration, there is still no steady research pattern due to no deep research existing. Furthermore, Chinese IS studies can be delineated by: foundation or extension. The research subjects of these two parts, as well as their corresponding/contributing authors, are different under different views. The general research status of core authors is concentrated, while their impact is broad.
Originality/value
The combined use of some related methods could enrich the development and methodology research of the discipline, and the results establish a reference point on the development of IS research.
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This article describes the development of MARC in Korea, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Japan. An overview of the development of each MARC system, KORMARC, Chinese MARC and…
Abstract
This article describes the development of MARC in Korea, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Japan. An overview of the development of each MARC system, KORMARC, Chinese MARC and JAPAN MARC is given. Also the specific characteristics of each MARC format are described and the ways in which they deal with particular national bibliographic features are compared.
Naicheng Chang, Yuchin Tsai, Gordon Dunsire and Alan Hopkinson
The purpose of this paper is to provide broad overviews of functional requirements for bibliographic records (FRBR) in the context of Chinese machine-readable cataloguing (CMARC)…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide broad overviews of functional requirements for bibliographic records (FRBR) in the context of Chinese machine-readable cataloguing (CMARC). It examines areas of the FRBR model, FRBR system development, FRBR applications and FRBR research.
Design/methodology/approach
A Chinese Koha_LibFRBR testbed was set up to develop three activities: building a FRBR application function library called LibFRBR to maintain FRBRized bibliographic records, implementing a mapping algorithm between CMARC/MARC 21 and FRBR, and designing a new generation Chinese FRBR Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) user interface.
Findings
The pilot system implementation demonstrates a workable process with useful output using both automated means (through a Perl module) and manual means (through a cataloguing interface (CI)). The study shows that existing poor Relator Code system and the maintenance of very little authority data in libraries in Taiwan are disadvantages in utilizing the FRBR model.
Practical implications
The software modules developed by this research have been released in GitHub through Koha-Taiwan distributed with a General Public License for further application within the Koha community.
Originality/value
The concrete research outcomes include: providing workable practices for CMARC coding information in FRBR, developing FRBRization of Chinese Koha library management systems, developing FRBR tools including LibFRBR, an application function library used to convert bibliographic records into FRBRized structures in Koha, and FRBR CI for library cataloguers and providing a preliminary evaluation on the views of library cataloguers and OPAC users.
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An ever‐growing body of electronic information resources is gradually making traditional research methodologies obsolete and transforming the ways in which students learn how…
Abstract
An ever‐growing body of electronic information resources is gradually making traditional research methodologies obsolete and transforming the ways in which students learn how research is carried out in their chosen fields of study. A clear example can be found in the case of Asian studies. Many areas of Asian studies traditionally have depended upon complex, printed bibliographic tools that could only be used by researchers who possessed both a mastery of Asian languages and an in‐depth understanding of the historical timelines and literary traditions of Asia. Students have acquired these research skills and methodologies through semester‐long courses and, in some cases, advanced specialized degrees. Until recently, responsibility for the teaching of such techniques and methodologies to students belonged almost exclusively to the teaching faculty of the discipline. Over the past few years, however, the increased availability of electronic research resources in Asian studies is transforming what students need to know about conducting research. This situation provides an unprecedented opportunity for campus librarians to participate in reforming the curricula for a new generation of Asian studies scholars.
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The use of bibliographic citation is a crucial aspect in the creation and dissemination of information. Numerous studies have been done ranging from simple citation counts to more…
Abstract
The use of bibliographic citation is a crucial aspect in the creation and dissemination of information. Numerous studies have been done ranging from simple citation counts to more complex bibliographic coupling studies, and from citation classifications to citation motivation studies. This review focusses on the citation studies that have explored the complexities and the underlying norms of the citation process. The major emphasis is placed upon the studies which have dealt with citation functions, citation quality, citation concepts and citation motivation. The international perspectives of citation practice are also discussed.
In Hong Kong resource sharing for cooperative cataloguing for Chinese language materials started in the 1990s with an infrastructure of a Z29.50‐based distributed system under the…
Abstract
In Hong Kong resource sharing for cooperative cataloguing for Chinese language materials started in the 1990s with an infrastructure of a Z29.50‐based distributed system under the auspices of JULAC of the University Grants Committee. The advantages and limitations of the distributed approach for resource sharing are considered. Problems such as variant MARC formats, romanisation, and codes for information exchange are examined. Unresolved practice issues specific to Chinese language materials are discussed. Resource descriptions for resource sharing, especially cataloguing, are introduced.
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Discusses some of the problems associated with the requirements and the prospects for international standards for the exchange of bibliographic records in machine‐readable form…
Abstract
Discusses some of the problems associated with the requirements and the prospects for international standards for the exchange of bibliographic records in machine‐readable form: the various roles of national bibliographies and national libraries; a lack of international cataloging standards; a lack of an international subject control system; language difficulties; character sets and codes; and nonroman alphabets. Explains that these problems lie behind the development of various MARC formats out of UNIMARC. In this final part of a four‐part article, describes the formats for South Africa, Taiwan, Japan, Croatia and Germany and indicates the points of difference and local requirements.
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The Library System of China and the Information System of China are the two systems of information organisations in China. This paper discusses the types of information agencies…
Abstract
The Library System of China and the Information System of China are the two systems of information organisations in China. This paper discusses the types of information agencies in each, focusing on structural characteristics, and governing regulations and especially on programmes and activities. Included in the discussion are such topics as publications, cooperative undertakings, new services and evaluation procedures.