Neil,
Thanks for raising this as an issue. I agree that this is a case where the
traditional jargon of the various heritage sectors gets in the way. For
general information the INSCRIPTION web site (now available via
www.inscription.org.uk as well as via the mda hosted FISH site) sets out the
following as a list of terms to describe the various resources. As a follow
up to the FISH meeting last month I am looking for suggestions for
improvements to the web site, and this seems as good a place to start as
any!
So the current list of terminology types is as follows (I'd see 'authority
files' as used on the LEAF site as a type of 'complex wordlist'). All
comments welcome.
>>
Four types of resources are included in INSCRIPTION. They differ in terms of
their complexity:
*Simple Wordlists
These consist of a list of terms to be used. They are not related in any way
and usually do not have multiple elements attached to the same concept.
An example is the Protection Grade list, where the whole concept of the term
is inherent in the term itself.
e.g. listed building
*Hierarchical Wordlists
These are lists of terms that imply a hierarchy. One term groups together
one or more terms beneath it
For example the Event Types - interventions list.
e.g. excavation has the specific terms open area excavation and trial trench
grouped beneath it.
*Complex Wordlists
These are lists which may not have a hierarchy but do have multiple elements
for the same concept. In addition to the chosen term, additional vital
information needs to be included in any records indexed with the term.
The Archaeological Periods list is an example.
e.g. the term Roman implies also a default minimum date of 43, and a default
maximum date of 410.
*Thesauri
These are the most complex type of authority list and as such can be time
consuming to construct and implement in a database. However, once
constructed they provide an invaluable resource for flexible indexing and
help to maximize retrieval from any database. They support different types
of relationship allowing terms to be placed in a hierarchy and related to
terms which may cover a similar field of interest. The 'equivalent'
relationship allows terms with the same meaning to be preferred or non
preferred
The English Heritage Thesaurus of Monument Types is an example.
e.g. BARROW is a broad term of ROUND BARROW
e.g. COAL MINE is a non prefered term for COLLIERY
e.g. FOOTBALL GROUND is a related term to FOOTBALL PITCH.
Ed
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