Subject Classification MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Subject Classification - Download Free PDF

The Correct answer is A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3

Key Points

Here are the punctuation guidelines for different heading types:

• Comma:
  • Separates parallel terms: Hotels, Travels.
  • Separates noun from qualifier in inverted headings: Maps, Statistical.
  • Separates surname and forename in personal names: Freud, Sigmund, 1856-1939.
• Dash: Used for subdivisions: Great Britain - History - Norman Period, 1066-1154.
• Hyphen: 
  • Indicates a span of years: English language - Grammar - 1870-1949.
  • Used in compound words: World-renowned.
• Parentheses: 
  • Enclose qualifiers or multiple qualifiers: Pool (Game), Wall Street (New York, N.Y.).
  • Enclose spelled-out forenames in personal headings: Eliot, T.S. (Thomas Stearns), 1888-1965.
• Square Brackets:
  • Used for multiple headings or subdivisions: Authors, American, [English, French, etc.].
  • Indicate LC class number for a heading: Agriculture machinery [S 671-S 760.5].
• Period (Full Stop): Used as an abbreviation mark: Smith, J.J..

Additional Information

• Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is a list of the headings for subject cataloging and indexing established at the Library of Congress which has been publishing since 1898.
• There are three general categories of headings in LCSH:
  • Topical headings: A topical heading represents a discrete, identifiable concept. These can be things, concepts, philosophies, disciplines, activities and processes, organisms and some types of events, classes of people, ethnic groups, names of individual animals, legendary and fictitious characters, places, and organizations.
  • Form / Genre: Form / Genre headings indicate what a work is, rather than what it is about. These headings can identify a form and represent a style or mood
  • Name headings: If the work being cataloged is about a person or a place or a corporate entity, then a name heading is appropriate 
    • Corporate names: Generally, a corporate body is an organization or a group of persons identified by a particular name. Corporate name headings are constructed according to AACR2/LCRI practice.
• The printed Library of Congress Subject Headings (Red Books) is being published annually.
• The 5th  edition was published in 1948.
• In 1957 the 6th edition of LCSH was published with three columns of subject headings per page, a format that would remain constant through to 1999.
• The 34th edition of LCSH in 6 volumes published in 2012 is indispensable.
• The latest edition of LCSH is the 44th edition and was published in 2022.

The Correct answer is Indexing.

Key PointsFunctions of a Subject Authority File:

• The subject authority file plays a key role in several aspects of cataloging and indexing:
  • Cataloging: The subject authority file provides the standardized vocabulary for indexing and helps ensure that:
    • The same heading is applied consistently to all works on a particular subject.
    • Each heading accurately represents only that subject.
    • All cataloged records adhere to established subject forms
  • Maintenance:
    • The file is regularly updated as subject headings are revised or new ones are introduced
    • Cross-references are adjusted accordingly to maintain consistency.
    • The subject authority file reflects the most up-to-date headings and cross-references, ensuring cataloguing records remain accurate, especially when transitioning from manual to online systems.
  • Retrieval:
    • The file aids users by:
      • Displaying the correct terminology and form of subject access points in the catalogue.
      • Providing cross-references that guide users to related headings when their search terms do not yield relevant results.

The Correct answer is A, B, and C 

Key Points

• Many libraries maintain a subject authority file to ensure consistency in subject heading terminology and cross-references.
• This process is known as subject authority control. A subject authority record is created when a new subject heading is established for the first time.
• According to the ALA Glossary, a subject authority file consists of records indicating authorized subject terms, cross-references, and the sources used for determining these terms.
• The key components of a subject authority record include:
  • The established subject heading
  • Any scope notes
  • Cross-references to other headings
  • Sources or authorities used to create the heading and references
• Levels of Subject Authority Control: Subject authority control operates at two levels: central and local.
  • Central Level:
    • A central agency (e.g., the Library of Congress) maintains a subject authority file or heading list, changing and adding subject headings and cross-references.
  • Local Level:
    • At the local level, libraries follow standard subject heading lists (e.g., LCSH or Sears List).
    • They create local subject authority records for new headings not yet in the established lists.
    • Local authority control involves correcting errors, updating outdated headings, and adding or revising cross-references based on new headings.

The Correct answer is Form Heading.

Key PointsGeneral Principles of Subject Headings:

• The concept of subject headings in cataloging was established by Charles Ammi Cutter in 1876 through his "Rules for a Dictionary Catalog," which laid the foundation for subject cataloging practices in American libraries.
• These rules remain influential today and emphasize two objectives:
  • To help users find a book by its subject.
  • To show the library's collection on a given subject.
• Cutter's principles of subject entry have shaped subject cataloging and are followed by major subject heading systems like LCSH and SLSH.

Key Principles:

• Specific and Direct Entry:
  • A document should be assigned the most specific subject heading.
  • For instance, a document about "Penguins" should be listed directly under "Penguins" rather than broader headings like "Birds" or "Water Birds."
  • If a specific heading isn’t available, a more general one is used, but it should still accurately represent the subject.
• Common Usage:
  • The terminology used must reflect common usage.
  • For example, in American libraries, "Labor" and "Elevators" are preferred over "Labour" and "Lifts."
  • The choice between popular and scientific terms depends on the library's audience.
  • In research libraries, scientific terms might be more appropriate, while public libraries may use more familiar terms.
• Uniformity:
  • A single, uniform term must be selected for synonyms or variant spellings (e.g., pediatric vs. paediatric, or air pollution vs. pollution of air).
  • The heading chosen should be unambiguous and recognizable to all users.
• Consistent and Current Terminology:
  • Terminology should be up-to-date and consistent. When dealing with synonyms, common usage prevails.
  • Also, outdated terms should be updated to reflect current usage.
  • If terminology changes, a subject authority file should be maintained to link old and new terms.
• Form Headings:
  • These refer to the literary or artistic form of a work (e.g., Essays, Poetry, Fiction).
  • Form headings are used for materials about literary forms, such as works on how to write essays or on literary genres.
  • Singular forms are used for topical subject headings, and plural forms for form headings (e.g., "Short story" vs. "Short stories").
• Cross References: Cross-references help users find the correct subject heading or related topics. They include:
  • See (or USE) References: Guide users from non-authorized headings to the correct one.
  • See Also (including BT, NT, RT) References: Direct users to related topics, either hierarchically (BT for broader term, NT for narrower term) or associatively (RT for related term).
  • General References: Direct users to broader categories or groups of related headings, saving space and simplifying the process.

The Correct answer is Choosing terms that reflect popular, everyday language.

Key PointsGeneral Principles of Subject Headings:

• The concept of subject headings in cataloging was established by Charles Ammi Cutter in 1876 through his "Rules for a Dictionary Catalog," which laid the foundation for subject cataloging practices in American libraries.
• These rules remain influential today and emphasize two objectives:
  • To help users find a book by its subject.
  • To show the library's collection on a given subject.
• Cutter's principles of subject entry have shaped subject cataloging and are followed by major subject heading systems like LCSH and SLSH.

Key Principles:

• Specific and Direct Entry:
  • A document should be assigned the most specific subject heading.
  • For instance, a document about "Penguins" should be listed directly under "Penguins" rather than broader headings like "Birds" or "Water Birds."
  • If a specific heading isn’t available, a more general one is used, but it should still accurately represent the subject.
• Common Usage:
  • The terminology used must reflect common usage.
  • For example, in American libraries, "Labor" and "Elevators" are preferred over "Labour" and "Lifts."
  • The choice between popular and scientific terms depends on the library's audience.
  • In research libraries, scientific terms might be more appropriate, while public libraries may use more familiar terms.
• Uniformity:
  • A single, uniform term must be selected for synonyms or variant spellings (e.g., pediatric vs. paediatric, or air pollution vs. pollution of air).
  • The heading chosen should be unambiguous and recognizable to all users.
• Consistent and Current Terminology:
  • Terminology should be up-to-date and consistent. When dealing with synonyms, common usage prevails.
  • Also, outdated terms should be updated to reflect current usage.
  • If terminology changes, a subject authority file should be maintained to link old and new terms.
• Form Headings:
  • These refer to the literary or artistic form of a work (e.g., Essays, Poetry, Fiction).
  • Form headings are used for materials about literary forms, such as works on how to write essays or on literary genres.
  • Singular forms are used for topical subject headings, and plural forms for form headings (e.g., "Short story" vs. "Short stories").
• Cross References: Cross-references help users find the correct subject heading or related topics. They include:
  • See (or USE) References: Guide users from non-authorized headings to the correct one.
  • See Also (including BT, NT, RT) References: Direct users to related topics, either hierarchically (BT for broader term, NT for narrower term) or associatively (RT for related term).
  • General References: Direct users to broader categories or groups of related headings, saving space and simplifying the process.

The Correct answer is 1923.

Key Points

• Sears List of Subject Headings (SLSH) originated in 1923 under the guidance of Minnie Earl Sears.
• Its first edition, titled "List of Subject Headings for Small Libraries," drew from the heading practices of nine small libraries in the United States.
• Over time, the fifteenth edition, edited by Joseph Miller in 1994, introduced standard abbreviations like BT, NT, RT, SA, and UF.
  • ​BT, signifying broader terms, involves crafting "See also" entries from broader to narrower terms as indicated by the preferred heading.
  • NT, or narrower terms, are subordinated to the preferred heading, leading to the creation of cross-references from broader to narrower terms.
  • RT, denoting related terms, includes entries at the same hierarchical level related to the subject, aiding in the preparation of reciprocal "See" entries.
  • SA, an abbreviation for "See Also," and UF, standing for "Used for," play essential roles in directing users to related terms and indicating preferred terms, respectively.
• The sixth edition in 1950 saw the removal of the phrase "for Small Libraries" from the title.
• Various editors, including Isabel Stevenson Monro and Bertha M. Frick, contributed to different editions, while Carmen Rovira and Caroline Reyes prepared the thirteenth edition in 1986.
• In the 15th edition (1994) edited by Dr. Joseph Miller de-inversion process was completed.
• The 18th edition (2004) was edited by Joseph Miller in association with Ms. Joan Goodsell.

The correct answer is Minnie Earl Sears:

Key Points

• Sears List of Subject Headings (SLSH) was first designed in 1923 by Minnie Earl Sears and published as the first edition in 1923 the title List of Subject Headings for Small Libraries‘is based on the headings used by nine small libraries of the USA.
• Isabel Stevenson Monro edited the fourth (1939) and fifth (1944) editions with the inclusion of Dewey Decimal
  Classification numbers. The sixth (1950), seventh (1954), and eighth (1959) editions were prepared by Bertha M. Frick.
•  The title was changed to Sears List of Subject Headings with the sixth edition.
• In Sears List of Subject Headings, there are four types of subject headings: topical headings, form headings, geographic headings, and proper names.​
• The 23rd edition is its latest edition.

Additional Information

• Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is a list of the headings for subject cataloging and indexing established at the Library of Congress which has been publishing since 1898.
• The 5th LCSH (1948) incorporated the ―refer from‖ references in the main list.
• There are four categories of subdivisions in the context of LCSH: Topical, Form,  Chronological, and Geographical.
• The 34th edition of LCSH in 6 volumes published in 2012 is indispensable
• The latest edition of LCSH is its 44th edition published in 2022

The correct answer is 1923.

Key Points Sears List of Subject Headings

• It was first designed in 1923 by Minnie Earl Sears
• Sears List has always been published by the H.W. Wilson Company, New York(Now the Company has been taken over by Ebsco).
• In the 15th edition (1994) edited by Dr. Joseph Miller de-inversion process was completed.
• Its current editor is Ms. Eve Miller who has brought out the 21st edition in May 2014.
• The principles of the Sears List are:
  1) Direct and specific entry
  2) Common (popular) usage
  3) Uniformity and consistency
• It is in one volume divided broadly in two parts:
  1) Prefatory and introductory part including the list of about 500 (common) subdivisions and the List of Key Headings.
  2) Alphabetical list of subject headings in word-by-word order (by ALA filing rules, 1980).

The correct answer is Subject classification:

Key Points

• One Place Theory: To collocate all the abstract aspects of a concrete subject around it. Given by James Duff Brown in his Subject Classification it is an alternative approach to division by discipline.
• The S C places all the aspects of the subject together, which is why it is called a one-place theory.

Additional Information

• Subject Classification:
  • ​Brown created three bibliographic classification systems: the Quinn-Brown scheme (1898), the Adjustable Classification (1898), and the Subject Classification (1906, 1914, and 1939).
  • There were three editions of SC. The first two were created by Brown himself, and the third was the second edition somewhat expanded and revised by Brownís nephew, J.D. Stewart.
• ​Library of Congress Classification:
  • ​The LC is a purely enumerative classification. It consists of 21 classes in 29 parts and 45 volumes and is the bulkiest of all the classification systems.
  • It is based upon a literary warrant. 
• ​Bibliographic Classification (BC):
  • ​Bibliographic Classification (BC) was designed during 1940-53 by H.E. Bliss.
  • Its order of main classes is planned well. It is based upon what Bliss called "Scientific and Educational Consensus".
• ​Colon Classification (CC):
  • ​Designed by S.R. Ranganathan and published first in 1933.
  • It is a freely faceted classification conforming to the General Theory of Classification and guided by postulates and principles.

The correct answer is 1952.

Key Points

•  Classification Research Group (CRG)
  • ​It was formed in England in 1952 and was active until 1968.
  • It was a significant contributor to classification research and theory in the field of library and information science.
  • Among its members were Derek Austin, Eric Coates, Jason Farradane, Robert Fairthorne, Douglas Foskett, Barbara Kyle, Derek Langridge, Jack Mills, Pauline Atherton Cochrane, Bernard Palmer, Jack Wells, and Brian Campbell Vickery.

The Correct answer is A, B, C and D.

Key Points

• POPSI-
  • It stands for "Postulate-based Permuted Subject Indexing (POPSI)".
  • G. Bhattacharyya developed the POPSI through logical interpretation of the deep structure of subject indexing language (SIL) in 1980.
  • It prescribes the use of apparatus words – such as prepositions, conjunctions, participles, etc. when necessary.
  • It is built around fundamental theoretical ideas on classification, not on a specific classification system like class numbers.
  • It is based on Ranganathan’s General Theory of Library Classification.

Theoretical Foundations

• POPSI is grounded in the General Theory of Subject Indexing Language (SIL) and focuses on analyzing subjects and structuring subject names.
• It is based on a set of five Elementary Categories:
  • Discipline (D): Conventional fields of study, such as Physics, Chemistry, or Physical Sciences.
  • Entity (E): Concrete or conceptual manifestations, like Energy, Light, or Environment.
  • Action (A): Concepts of "doing," such as Function, Migration, or Education.
  • Property (P): Qualitative or quantitative attributes, such as Capacity, Efficiency, or Power.
  • Modifier (M): Qualifies other categories without altering their core meaning, e.g., Infectious disease.

Key Features and Postulates:

• POPSI relies on several postulates to structure the indexing system:
  • Basic Sequence: The order of Discipline (D), followed by Entity (E), with optional Action (A) and Property (P). This sequence can form compound subject propositions.
  • Source Organizing Classification: Organizing subject terms in a basic modulated chain with interpolated superordinates for classification.
  • Associative Classification: Permutation of terms to generate associative relationships between them, facilitating subject classification.
  • Systematic Grouping: The use of notational representations for modulated chains enables a systematic and alphabetical arrangement for efficient indexing.

The Correct answer is Enumerative

Key Points

• The Sears List of Subject Headings (popularly known as the Sears List) serves as a valuable tool for assigning standardized subject headings to various types of documents in small and medium-sized libraries.
• Sears List of Subject Headings is Enumerative in nature as it provides a predefined list of subject headings, often organized in a hierarchical structure, allowing librarians to select appropriate headings from the list for cataloging various resources in a library collection. 
• Origins and Updates:
  • Sears List of Subject Headings (SLSH) was first designed in 1923 by Minnie Earl Sears and published as its first edition in 1923 under the title "List of Subject Headings for Small Libraries" based on the headings used by nine small libraries of the USA.
  • The fifteenth edition (1994) edited by Joseph Miller included for the first time the standard abbreviations of  BT, NT, RT, SA, and UF
  • The sixth edition was published in 1950 with the changed title as Sears List of Subject Headings The phrase for Small Libraries‖ was deleted from the title.
  • In the second edition (1926) she added See also references.
  • Isabel Stevenson Monro edited the fourth (1939) and fifth (1944) editions
  • The sixth (1950), seventh (1954), and eighth (1959) editions were prepared by Bertha M. Frick.
  • The thirteenth edition (1986) was prepared by Carmen Rovira and Caroline Reyes.
• ​Characteristics:
  • ​The Sears List is simpler and broader than the more detailed Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH).
  • Instead of scientific terminology, it uses vernacular terms, making it accessible to a wider audience.
  • The list provides patterns and examples for creating new headings as required.

Additional Information

•  FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology):
  • ​FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology) is derived from the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH),
  • The development of FAST has been a collaboration of OCLC Research and the Library of Congress.
  • Work on FAST began in late 1998.
  • The individual terms in the FAST vocabulary are divided into nine distinct categories or facets: Personal names, Corporate names, Meeting names, Geographic names, Events, Titles, Periods, Topics, and Form/Genre.
  • The FAST Quick Start Guide was prepared by the FAST Policy and Outreach Committee in 2022.
• ​Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):
  • ​The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is a compilation of subject cataloging and indexing terms created at the Library of Congress.
  • It has been in publication since 1898, with the printed version, known as the Red Books, being issued on an annual basis.
  • The fifth edition of the Red Books was released in 1948.

The Correct answer is Controlled Vocabulary.

Key Points

• The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):
  • ​The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is an extensive thesaurus of subject headings maintained by the United States Library of Congress.
  • The first edition of the Library of Congress list, called Subject Headings Used in the Dictionary Catalogues of the Library of Congress, was printed in parts between 1909 and 1914.
  • Supplementary lists were issued as required, followed by a second edition in 1919. Later editions were published at irregular intervals.
  • It serves as a controlled vocabulary in bibliographic records, encompassing more than 270,000 usable headings and over 490,000 headings utilized for cross-referencing.
  • LCSH finds extensive application in cataloging.
  • The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is organized into three main categories:
    • topical headings,
    • form/genre headings, and
    • name headings.​​
  • The printed Library of Congress Subject Headings (Red Books) is being published annually.
  • The 5th edition was published in 1948.
  • In 1957 the 6th edition of LCSH was published with three columns of subject headings per page, a format that would remain constant through to 1999.
  • The 34th edition of LCSH in 6 volumes published in 2012 is indispensable.
  • The latest edition of LCSH is the 44th edition and was published in 2022.​

Additional Information

• Sears List Of Subject Heading:
  • ​The Sears List of Subject Headings (SLSH), initially created by Minnie Earl Sears in 1923, was first published as the "List of subject headings for Small Libraries."
  • This publication has become the standard thesaurus of subject terminology for small and medium-sized libraries, offering a more simplified alternative to the Library of Congress Subject Headings.

The Correct answer is 15th

Key Points

• Sears List of Subject Headings (SLSH) was first designed in 1923 by Minnie Earl Sears and published as its first edition in 1923 under the title "List of Subject Headings for Small Libraries" based on the headings used by nine small libraries of the USA.
• The sixth edition was published in 1950 with the changed title as Sears List of Subject Headings The phrase for Small Libraries‖ was deleted from the title.
• In the second edition (1926) she added See also references.
• Isabel Stevenson Monro edited the fourth (1939) and fifth (1944) editions
• The sixth (1950), seventh (1954), and eighth (1959) editions were prepared by Bertha M. Frick.
• The thirteenth edition (1986) was prepared by Carmen Rovira and Caroline Reyes.
• The 15th edition of the SLSH (1994) introduced the symbols UF/USE, BT, NT, RT, and SA to replace "see" and "see also" references. 
  • BT, for broader terms,
  • NT for Narrow terms
  • RT for Related terms
  • SA for See Also.
  • UF for 

The Correct answer is Compound Headings.

Key Points

• A phrase heading consists of two or more words representing the subject of a document. 
• The different types of phrase headings as recognized in SLSH are discussed below

Compound Headings

• These combine two nouns or noun phrases joined by "and" to connect related or opposing subjects.
• Examples include:
• Bow and Arrow
• Cities and Towns
• Religion and Science
• Belief and Doubt

Adjectival Headings:

• An adjective is used to qualify a noun, expressing a specific concept.
• Examples include:
• American literature
• Electrical engineering
• Tropical fish
• Previously, adjectival headings were often inverted (e.g., Psychology, Religious), but this practice has largely been replaced by direct ordering, except in cases like battles or states.
• A reference from the older inverted form is added when necessary.

Prepositional Phrase Headings:

• These express relationships between concepts using prepositions.
• Examples include:
• Freedom of information
• Electricity in agriculture