Kategoriseringen

Kategoriseringen, or categorization, is the process of organizing information, objects, or concepts by assigning them to categories that reflect shared properties, functions, or relations. The goal is to support understanding, retrieval, and decision making by reducing complexity and highlighting relevant similarities and differences.

In information science, categorization is part of classification, taxonomy, and ontology design. Taxonomies arrange categories in a hierarchical structure, from broad to specific. Ontologies specify a network of formal relations between concepts, enabling rich inference. Faceted classification provides multiple independent axes (such as author, date, genre) that can be combined in search and browsing. Tag-based or folksonomic categorization relies on user-generated labels, which can be flexible but inconsistent. Examples include libraries using Dewey Decimal or Library of Congress systems, medical coding with ICD-10, and online stores organizing products into categories.

Implementing a categorization system typically involves defining scope and audience, designing categories and guidelines, mapping items to categories, and periodically reviewing and updating the scheme. Common challenges include ambiguity and polysemy, context dependence, cultural bias, scale, and the need for ongoing governance and maintenance. Evaluation often looks at usability, retrieval performance, and consistency across users and items. Proper categorization supports efficient search, better navigation, and clearer understanding of a domain, while remaining adaptable to new concepts and changing needs.