Revisiting classification for retrieval
Karen Spärck Jones · Journal of Documentation · 2005
Purpose This short note seeks to respond to Hjørland and Pederson's paper “A substantive theory of classification for information retrieval” which starts from Spärck Jones's, “Some thoughts on classification for retrieval”, originally published in 1970. Design/methodology/approach The note comments on the context in which the 1970 paper was written, and on Hjørland and Pedersen's views, emphasising the need for well‐grounded classification theory and application. Findings The note maintains that text‐based, a posteriori, classification, as increasingly found in applications, is likely to be more useful, in general, than a priori classification. Originality/value The note elaborates on points made in a well‐received earlier paper.