Information Representation: Abstracts and Classification

Recommended Prerequisites

N.A.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical classes that include the reading and interpretation of texts and group work focused mainly on the preparation of abstracts and classification of documents. These methods are designed to foster the discussion of the most relevant issues addressed, as well as to promote a culture of shared work.
The final grade is the result of the sum of the following elements: attendance, participation in class, and tests.

Learning Outcomes

The general aim of this theoretical-practical course is to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will enable students to construct abstracts and classify documents. In specific terms, students are expected to:
a) Understand the role of abstracts in the construction and dissemination of scholarly production;
b) Learn the phases and procedures of abstract preparation;
c) Identify and adjust the various types of abstracts to particular needs;
d) Understand the role of systematic languages in the organization of knowledge;
e) Learn the principles, characteristics and structure of various types of bibliographic classifications;
f) Assimilate the principles and key procedures and techniques for the implementation of the Universal Decimal Classification;
g) Present the potential of this system as regards the organization of knowledge in systematic catalogs and the physical storage of works.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I. Abstracts
1. Abstracts and their role in science building.
2. Origins, evolution and definition.
3. General principles to consider in making summaries.
4. Typology and determination criteria.
5. Methodological phases and procedures inherent in the preparation of an abstract, based on international standards.
II. Systematic languages
1. Fundamentals and role of classification in the representation and retrieval of information.
2. Concept of “classification” and “classify.”
3. Brief historical note, definition, objectives, characteristics, construction and products resulting from such languages.
4. Typology of systematic languages [regarding content and structure].
5. Universal Decimal Classification (UDC): basics and structure.
6. Procedures and application techniques of the UDC.
7. The role of systematic languages and abstracts in information representation and retrieval and the organization of knowledge.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Manuela Tavares de Matos Cardoso

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Regular attendance and in-class participation: 20.0%
Frequency: 80.0%

Bibliography

NISO. (1997). ANSI Z39.14-1997: Guidelines for abstracts. Bethesda: Niso Press.
Maculan, B. C. M. S. (2020). Ambiguidade e o contexto na representação de informações em domínios de especialidade. Perspectivas em Ciência da Informação, Belo Horizonte, v. 25, p. 98-124.
Maniez, J. (1993). Los lenguajes documentales y de clasificación (...). Madrid: Fund. Germán Sánchez Ruipérez.
Pinto, M. (2001). El resumen documental: paradigmas, modelos y métodos. Madrid: Fund. Germán Sánchez Ruipérez.
Fagundes, P. B.; et al. (2020). Taxonomias, ontologias e tesauros (...). Em Questão, v. 26, n. 1, p. 237-254.
Castro, I.R. & G. A.B.(2021). Uso da Classificação Decimal Universal para a recuperação da informação em ambientes digitais (...). Informação & Informação, v. 6, 1, p. 550-573.
UDC Consortium (2005). Classificação Decimal Universal: tabela de autoridade. Lisboa: B. N.
Simões, M. G. (2011). Classificações bibliográficas (...). Coimbra: Almedina.