THE DEWEY DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION - OCLC

Mitchell and Vizine-Goetz: The Dewey Decimal ClassificationNOTATIONAL SYNTHESISThe DDC schedules enumerate only a fraction of the possible numbers that can be usedto represent concepts. Often, a number must be synthesized (built) to express a particularconcept. Numbers can be synthesized using notation in Tables 1-6, notation from otherparts of the schedules, or notation from add tables that appear in the schedules. Anynumber can be extended by notation from Table 1, known collectively as “standardsubdivisions,” unless there are instructions to the contrary. Number building from theTables 2-6, other parts of the schedules, and add tables can only be initiated uponinstruction. Here are some examples of notational synthesis in Dewey:Journal of topology 514.05(514 Topology + notation 05 Serial publications from Table 1)The Internet in Africa 004.678096(004.678 Internet + notation 09 Geographic treatment from Table 1 +notation 6 Africa from Table 2)Medical journalism 070.44961(070.449 Journalism in specific subjects + notation 61 from 610 Medicineand health [it is a convention in Dewey to drop the final zero after thedecimal point])http://www.oclc.org/research/publications/library/2009/mitchell-dvg-elis.pdf Page 10 of 36.