Introduction to controlled vocabularies : terminology for art, archtecture, and other cultural works

This primer on the characteristics, scope, uses, and methods for building and maintaining controlled vocabularies for art and cultural materials explains how vocabularies should be integrated in cataloging systems; utilized for indexing and retrieval; and structured to group synonyms and arrange concepts into categories.

The updated edition reflects recent developments in the field, including new national and international standards, current trends such as Linked Open Data, and revisions to the Getty vocabularies. The glossary and bibliography have also been updated.

• Foreword p. x
• Acknowledgments p. xii
• 1 Controlled Vocabularies in Context p. 1
• 1.1 What Are Cultural Works? p. 2
• 1.1.1 Fine Arts p. 2
• 1.1.2 Architecture p. 3
• 1.1.3 Other Visual Arts p. 3
• 1.2 Creators of Art Information p. 3
• 1.2.1 Museums p. 3
• 1.2.2 Visual Resources Collections p. 4
• 1.2.3 Libraries p. 5
• 1.2.4 Special Collections p. 6
• 1.2.5 Archival Collections p. 6
• 1.2.6 Private Collections p. 7
• 1.2.7 Scholars p. 7
• 1.3 Standards for Art Information p. 7
• 1.3.1 Standards for the Creation of Vocabularies p. 8
• 1.3.2 Issues in Sharing Data p. 10
• 1.3.3 Linked Open Data p. 11
• 2 What Are Controlled Vocabularies? p. 13
• 2.1 Purpose of Controlled Vocabularies p. 13
• 2.2 Display Information and Controlled Information p. 13
• 2.2.1 Display Information with Controlled Vocabularies p. 14
• 2.2.2 Controlled Vocabularies vs. Controlled Format p. 15
• 2.3 Types of Controlled Vocabularies p. 17
• 2.3.1 Relationships in General p. 17
• 2.3.2 Subject Heading Lists p. 19
• 2.3.2.1 Other Headings p. 20
• 2.3.3 Controlled Lists p. 20
• 2.3.4 Synonym Ring Lists p. 21
• 2.3.5 Authority Files p. 22
• 2.3.6 Taxonomies p. 23
• 2.3.7 Alphanumeric Classification Schemes p. 24
• 2.3.8 Thesauri p. 25
• 2.3.9 Ontologies p. 25
• 2.3.10 Folksonomies p. 27
• 3 Relationships in Controlled Vocabularies p. 28
• 3.1 Equivalence Relationships p. 28
• 3.1.1 Synonyms p. 28
• 3.1.1.1 Lexical Variants p. 30
• 3.1.1.2 Historical Name Changes p. 31
• 3.1.1.3 Differences in Language p. 31
• 3.1.2 Near Synonyms p. 33
• 3.1.3 Preferred Terms p. 34
• 3.1.4 Homographs p. 34
• 3.1.4.1 Qualifiers p. 36
• 3.1.4.1.1 How to Choose a Qualifier for a Term p. 37
• 3.1.4.2 Other Ways to Disambiguate Names p. 37
• 3.2 Hierarchical Relationships p. 38
• 3.2.1 Whole/Part Relationships p. 38
• 3.2.2 Genus/Species Relationships p. 39
• 3.2.3 Instance Relationships p. 40
• 3.2.4 Facets and Guide Terms p. 41
• 3.2.5 Polyhierarchies p. 42
• 3.3 Associative Relationships p. 43
• 3.3.1 Types of Associative Relationships p. 44
• 3.3.2 When to Make Associative Relationships p. 46
• 4 Vocabularies for Cultural Objects p. 50
• 4.1 Types of Vocabulary Terms p. 50
• 4.2 The Getty Vocabularies p. 52
• 4.2.1 Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) p. 54
• 4.2.1.1 Scope p. 54
• 4.2.1.1.1 Facets and Hierarchies in AAT p. 56
• 4.2.1.2 What Constitutes a Term in AAT? p. 58
• 4.2.1.2.1 Warrant for a Term p. 58
• 4.2.1.2.2 Discrete Concepts p. 58
• 4.2.1.3 What Is Excluded from AAT? p. 59
• 4.2.1.4 Fields in AAT p. 59
• 4.2.2 Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (TGN) p. 59
• 4.2.2.1 Scope p. 61
• 4.2.2.1.1 Nations, Cities, Archaeological Sites p. 61
• 4.2.2.1.2 Physical Features p. 61
• 4.2.2.1.3 Places That No Longer Exist p. 61
• 4.2.2.2 What Is Excluded from TGN? p. 62
• 4.2.2.2.1 Built Works p. 62
• 4.2.2.2.2 Cultural and Political Groups p. 63
• 4.2.2.3 Fields in TGN p. 63
• 4.2.3 Union List of Artist Names (ULAN) p. 63
• 4.2.3.1 Scope p. 64
• 4.2.3.1.1 Artists p. 64
• 4.2.3.1.2 Architects p. 64
• 4.2.3.1.3 Non-Artists p. 65
• 4.2.3.1.4 Workshops and Families p. 65
• 4.2.3.1.5 Anonymous and Unknown Artists p. 65
• 4.2.3.1.6 Amateur Artists p. 65
• 4.2.3.2 What Is Excluded from ULAN? p. 66
• 4.2.3.3 Fields in ULAN p. 66
• 4.2.4 Cultural Objects Name Authority (CONA) p. 68
• 4.2.4.1 Scope p. 68
• 4.2.4.1.1 Built Works p. 68
• 4.2.4.1.2 Movable Works p. 69
• 4.2.4.2 What Is Excluded from CONA? p. 69
• 4.2.4.3 Fields in CONA p. 70
• 4.3 Chenhall's Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging p. 70
• 4.3.1 Organization and Scope of Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging p. 70
• 4.3.2 Terms in Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging p. 73
• 4.3.3 Nomenclature fir Museum Cataloging vs. AAT p. 74
• 4.4 Library of Congress Authorities p. 75
• 4.4.1 Library of CongressINACO Authority File (LCNAF) p. 75
• 4.4.2 Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) p. 77
• 4.5 Thesaurus for Graphic Materials (TGM) p. 78
• 4.5.1 Scope of TGM p. 78
• 4.5.2 TGM vs. AAT p. 79
• 4.6 Iconclass p. 82
• 4.6.1 Structure and Scope of Iconclass p. 82
• 5 Using Multiple Vocabularies p. 84
• 5.1 Interoperability of Vocabularies p. 84
• 5.2 Maintenance of Mappings p. 85
• 5.3 Methods of Achieving Interoperability p. 85
• 5.3.1 Direct Mapping p. 86
• 5.3.2 Switching Vocabulary p. 87
• 5.3.3 Factors for Successful Interoperability of Vocabularies p. 87
• 5.3.4 Semantic Mapping p. 90
• 5.4 Interoperability across Languages p. 91
• 5.4.1 Issues of Multilingual Terminology p. 91
• 5.4.2 Dominant Languages p. 93
• 5.5 Satellite and Extension Vocabularies p. 93
• 6 Local Authorities p. 95
• 6.1 Which Fields Should Be Controlled? p. 97
• 6.2 Structure of the Authority p. 98
• 6.3 Unique IDs in the Authority p. 98
• 6.4 Person/Corporate Body Authority p. 100
• 6.4.1 Sources for Terminology p. 102
• 6.4.2 Suggested Fields p. 103
• 6.5 Place/Location Authority p. 107
• 6.5.1 Sources for Terminology p. 108
• 6.5.2 Suggested Fields p. 109
• 6.6 Generic Concept Authority p. 114
• 6.6.1 Sources for Terminology p. 115
• 6.6.2 Suggested Fields p. 116
• 6.7 Subject Authority p. 120
• 6.7.1 Sources for Terminology p. 122
• 6.7.2 Suggested Fields p. 123
• 6.8 Source Authority p. 131
• 6.8.1 Sources for Terminology p. 131
• 6.8.2 Suggested Fields p. 131
• 7 Constructing a Vocabulary or Authority p. 134
• 7.1 General Criteria for the Vocabulary p. 134
• 7.1.1 Local or Broader Use p. 134
• 7.1.2 Purpose of the Vocabulary p. 135
• 7.1.3 Scope of the Vocabulary p. 135
• 7.1.4 Maintaining the Vocabulary p. 136
• 7.2 Data Model and Rules p. 136
• 7.2.1 Established Standards p. 136
• 7.2.2 Logical Focus of the Record p. 137
• 7.2.3 Data Structure p. 137
• 7.2.4 Controlled Fields vs. Free-Text Fields p. 138
• 7.2.5 Minimum Information p. 138
• 7.2.6 Editorial Rules p. 139
• 7.3 Imprecise Information p. 139
• 7.4 Rules for Constructing a Vocabulary p. 141
• 7.4.1 Establishing Terms p. 141
• 7.4.1.1 Capitalization p. 142
• 7.4.2 Regulating Hierarchical Relationships p. 142
• 7.4.2.1 Mixing Relationships p. 143
• 7.4.2.2 Incorporating Facets and Guide Terms p. 143
• 7.5 Displaying a Controlled Vocabulary p. 145
• 7.5.1 Display for Various Types of Users p. 145
• 7.5.2 Technical Considerations p. 146
• 7.5.2.1 Display Independent of Database Design p. 146
• 7.5.3 Characteristics of Displays p. 146
• 7.5.3.1 Format of Display p. 147
• 7.5.3.2 Documentation p. 147
• 7.5.3.3 Displaying Hierarchies p. 148
• 7.5.3.3.1 Indentation vs. Notations p. 148
• 7.5.3.3.2 Alternative Hierarchical Displays p. 150
• 7.5.3.3.3 Display of Polyhierarchy p. 150
• 7.5.3.3.4 Sorting of Siblings p. 153
• 7.5.3.3.5 Faceted Displays and Guide Terms p. 154
• 7.5.3.3.6 Classification Notation or Line Number p. 155
• 7.5.3.4 Full Record Display p. 156
• 7.5.3.5 Displaying Equivalence and Associative Relationships p. 156
• 7.5.3.5.1 Permuted Lists and Inverted Forms p. 158
• 7.5.3.5.2 Displaying Homographs p. 158
• 7.5.3.5.3 Sorting and Alphabetizing Terms p. 159
• 7.5.3.5.4 Diacritics in Sorting p. 160
• 7.5.3.5.5 Display of Diacritics p. 161
• 7.5.3.6 Search Results Displays p. 161
• 7.5.3.6.1 Headings or Labels p. 161
• 7.5.3.6.2 Ascending or Descending Order of Parents p. 163
• 7.5.3.6.3 Displaying the User's Search Term p. 163
• 7.5.3.7 Pick Lists p. 165
• 8 Indexing with Controlled Vocabularies p. 166
• 8.1 Technical Issues of Indexing p. 166
• 8.1.1 Availability of Indexing Terms to the Cataloger p. 166
• 8.2 Methodologies for Indexing p. 168
• 8.2.1 Indexing Display Information p. 168
• 8.2.2 When Fields Do Not Display to End Users p. 168
• 8.2.3 Specificity and Exhaustivity p. 169
• 8.2.3.1 Specificity Related to the Authority Records p. 169
• 8.2.3.2 General and Specific Terms p. 170
• 8.2.3.3 Preferred or Variant Terms p. 171
• 8.2.3.4 How Many Terms p. 171
• 8.2.3.4.1 How to Establish Core Elements p. 171
• 8.2.3.4.2 Minimal Records p. 172
• 8.2.3.4.3 Missing Information p. 172
• 8.2.3.5 Size and Focus of the Collection p. 173
• 8.2.3.5.1 Different Works Require Different Indexing p. 173
• 8.2.3.5.2 Cataloging in Phases p. 173
• 8.2.3.5.3 Indexing Groups vs. Items p. 173
• 8.2.3.5.4 Expertise of End Users p. 174
• 8.2.3.5.5 Expertise of Catalogers and Indexers p. 175
• 8.2.4 Indexing Uncertain Information p. 175
• 8.2.4.1 Knowable vs. Unknowable Information p. 177
• 8.2.4.1.1 Knowable Information p. 177
• 8.2.4.1.2 Debated Information p. 177
• 9 Retrieval Using Controlled Vocabularies p. 178
• 9.1 Identifying the Focus of Retrieval p. 178
• 9.2 User Intervention or Behind the Scenes p. 179
• 9.2.1 Retrieval by Browsing p. 179
• 9.2.2 Retrieval via Search Box p. 182
• 9.2.3 Retrieval by Querying in a Database p. 183
• 9.2.3.1 Reports and Ad Hoc Queries of the Database p. 186
• 9.2.4 Querying across Multiple Databases p. 187
• 9.2.5 Seeding Tags with Vocabulary Terms p. 187
• 9.3 Processing Vocabulary Data for Retrieval p. 188
• 9.3.1 Know Your Audience p. 189
• 9.3.2 Using Names for Retrieval p. 189
• 9.3.3 Truncating Names p. 190
• 9.3.4 Keyword Searching p. 191
• 9.3.5 Normalizing Terms p. 192
• 9.3.5.1 Case Insensitivity in Retrieval p. 193
• 9.3.5.2 Compound Terms and Names in Retrieval p. 194
• 9.3.5.3 Diacritics and Punctuation in Retrieval p. 194
• 9.3.5.4 Phonetic Matching p. 195
• 9.3.5.5 Singulars and Plurals in Retrieval p. 196
• 9.3.5.6 Abbreviations p. 197
• 9.3.5.7 Trunk Names p. 197
• 9.3.5.8 Form and Syntax of the Name p. 198
• 9.3.5.8.1 First and Last Names p. 198
• 9.3.5.8.2 Pivoting on the Comma p. 198
• 9.3.5.8.3 Multiple Commas p. 199
• 9.3.5.9 Articles and Prepositions p. 200
• 9.3.6 Reserved Character Sets p. 201
• 9.3.7 Stop Lists p. 202
• 9.3.8 Boolean Operators p. 202
• 9.3.9 Context of Terms in Retrieval p. 202
• 9.3.9.1 Qualifiers in Retrieval p. 203
• 9.3.9.2 Hierarchical Relationships in Retrieval p. 203
• 9.3.9.3 Associative Relationships in Retrieval p. 205
• 9.4 Other Data Used in Retrieval p. 205
• 9.4.1 Unique Identifiers as Search Criteria p. 205
• 9.4.2 Other Vocabulary Data Used in Retrieval p. 206
• 9.5 Results Lists p. 206
• Appendix: Selected Vocabularies and Other Sources for Terminology p. 208
• Glossary p. 211
• Selected Bibliography p. 241