Pääluokkalajittelu

Pääluokkalajittelu is a Finnish term that translates to "main class sorting" or "primary class classification." It refers to a method used in various fields, most notably in biology and library science, to categorize items into broad, fundamental groups. In biological classification, it represents the highest hierarchical ranks, such as kingdom, phylum, class, or order, distinguishing major lineages or groups of organisms. For example, within the animal kingdom, a "pääluokka" might be Mammalia (mammals) or Aves (birds).

In library science and information management, pääluokkalajittelu pertains to the initial and most general division of knowledge or materials. This could involve categorizing books into broad subjects like science, humanities, or arts. The purpose is to provide a high-level organizational structure that allows for easier navigation and retrieval of information within a larger collection. This initial sorting helps in understanding the overall composition of a collection and serves as a foundation for more detailed classification systems. The principles of pääluokkalajittelu emphasize establishing broad, universally recognized categories that are distinct and comprehensive enough to encompass a wide range of subjects or entities.