midsubtype

Midsubtype is a term used in information organization to denote an intermediate classification level that sits between a broad type and its more specific subtypes within a schema or ontology. It is intended to capture subgroupings that share core attributes of the parent type but are not narrow enough to be considered full subtypes.

The term is not widely standardized and tends to appear in domain-specific data models and metadata schemas where mid-level granularity helps manage diversity without proliferating subtype slots. In practice, midsubtypes function as an organizational aid, providing a common intermediate category for reasoning, constraint definition, and querying that spans multiple concrete subtypes.

Key characteristics of midsubtypes include their mid-level granularity, cross-cutting applicability across several subtypes, and their role in facilitating flexible data modeling. They are defined as a specialization of the parent type while remaining broader than any individual subtype. This can aid in abstraction, data integration, and reporting, but can also introduce ambiguity or require additional documentation to prevent confusion about when a midsubtype applies.

Examples illustrate the concept in different domains. In a medical laboratory system, a parent type might be Laboratory Result, with subtypes Hematology, Chemistry, and Microbiology. A midsubtype Quantitative could apply across these subtypes to indicate results that are numerical, distinguishing them from qualitative notes. In a digital asset repository, a parent type might be Media, with subtypes Image and Video, and a midsubtype Edited could apply to both to denote derivative works.

Overall, midsubtypes are a flexible, domain-specific tool for mid-level categorization, best used with clear documentation and consistent governance. See also ontology, taxonomy, mid-level type, subtype.