The chaos still exists because, contrary to popular(?) belief, the records management rules(?) have been largely ignored, in the UK anyway, for the last 50 years!  

 

 

Though I guess this also begs the question of why, despite the presence for the past half century or more, of records management (with all its traditional ‘rules’) does this ‘chaos’ still exist?

 

Hence suggesting that now might be a good time for the profession to fundamentally question whether its current rules are, indeed, fit for purpose (as explored further in my book, Managing the Crowd if you can excuse the blatant plug)

 

But that is a can of worms which is probably best left  for another day…

Steve

 

 

It would be unkind to disagree with Steve but the view from my sector is that we are moving towards an hierarchical classification scheme not away from it, to try and sort out the chaos that exists. I am pretty sure that Paul, who posed the original question is coming from the same direction.

Chris Tinsley MSc

Wiltshire County Council

 

Information is the key

 

From: The UK Records Management mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Steve Bailey - JISC infoNet
Sent: 21 July 2008 14:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Comparative definitions of Classification and Taxonomy

Unkind, moi?  Merely pointing out the irony in David’s  statement that whilst we are still trying to define what it means, most of those who actually create and use the information we manage seem to have moved away from a reliance on hierarchical classification schemes some time ago…

 

Hey, I’m all for rules – so long as they stand up to scrutiny and still serve a purpose.  There’s nothing to stop us changing existing ones; or making up new ones when the need arises.  After all, it wasn’t too many centuries ago that it was a ‘rule’ that you didn’t sail as far as the horizon for fear of falling off the edge ;-)

 

Steve

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Records Management mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Steve Bailey - JISC infoNet
Sent: 21 July 2008 13:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Comparative definitions of Classification and Taxonomy

“Before the onset of electronic records (taxonomy/classification) was often used in the sciences - particularly biology”

 

Interesting that even after the rest of the world has moved on (and well after ‘the onset of electronic records’) that records management still stands by it…

 

Steve

 

Steve Bailey

Senior Adviser (Records Management)

JISC infoNet

Northumbria University

Room 303, Hadrian House

Higham Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AF

Tel: 07092 302850

Fax: + 44 (0) 191 243 8469

Email: [log in to unmask]

Web: http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk

Blog: http://rmfuturewatch.blogspot.com/ 

 

 

 

From: The UK Records Management mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Bridge
Sent: 21 July 2008 13:03
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Comparative definitions of Classification and Taxonomy

 

Surely taxonomy can be [is] defined as the science of classification -  often resulting in a list of hierarchical related terms [see also etc.]

Before the onset of electronic records was often used in the sciences - particularly biology

Regards

David

Gerry Dane <[log in to unmask]> Sent by: The UK Records Management mailing list <[log in to unmask]> 21/07/2008 12:39 Please respond to Gerry Dane <[log in to unmask]>

To [log in to unmask] cc   Subject Re: Comparative definitions of Classification and Taxonomy

Other than that taxonomy is usually found within the context of scientific classification, I've never really considered a substantial difference between the two - always thought of them as interchangeable terms. (though 'classification' is the more used term)  
 
See the activity as the same and the info as different - ie classifying Lepidoptera (though more complex) doesn't differ that much from classifying Finance or HR activities? (still trying to name the parts of things)
 
Gerry
Newcastle University  
 
 

---

From: The UK Records Management mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul Dodgson
Sent: 21 July 2008 12:07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Comparative definitions of Classification and Taxonomy

Hi

I am seeking a definition of taxonomy which creates a clear distinction between taxonomy and classification.

If anyone can lead me to a useful link, it would be much appreciated.

Also useful would be any views that consider taxonomy and classification as being the same and that there is no clear distinction in definition terms.

Why?

I need to define and contextualise the two as part of work for my MSc in Records Management.

Thanks

Paul Dodgson
Business Partner
Information Management Team
Corporate Resources Department
Leicestershire County Council
E-mail: mailto:[log in to unmask]
Tel: 0116 305 8250

 

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