The formation of new subjects within the universe of knowledge examines how existing subjects evolve and interrelate. Dr. S. R. Ranganathan introduced this concept in 1950, laying the foundation for understanding the development of classification schemes. This study is essential for library classification systems and is helpful in teaching and learning knowledge organization.
Scope of the Study Mode of Formation of Subjects
- Serves as a foundation for freely faceted classification theory.
- Aids in mapping subjects within the universe of knowledge.
- Enables understanding of interrelations among subjects and their components.
- Facilitates the creation of new classification schemes and the revision of existing ones.
- Enhances teaching and learning about subject formation and classification.
Types of Modes of Subject Formation
Dr. Ranganathan initially identified four modes of subject formation: Dissection, Denudation, Lamination, and Loose Assemblage. These were later expanded by M. P. Gopinath and S. Seetharama into seven distinct types.
1. Dissection
Dissection divides a broad subject into smaller, coordinate parts for better organization and understanding. It ensures logical segmentation without altering the essence of components. For instance, Life Sciences splits into Botany and Zoology. Dissection supports systematic knowledge structuring, aiding library classifications and simplifying subject retrieval and study.
Involves breaking down a larger entity into equal parts.
Example: “Life Sciences” split into “Botany” and “Zoology”; “India” divided into “States.”
2. Denudation
Denudation narrows a subject’s scope by reducing its breadth (extension) while increasing its depth (intension).
- Narrows a subject’s scope progressively while increasing specificity.
- Example: “World ➡ Asia ➡ India ➡ Tamil Nadu ➡ Madurai.”
3. Lamination
Lamination involves overlaying facets or elements to form a subject. It can create compound subjects by combining different facets with a basic subject. For example, “Agriculture in India” involves combining facets of agriculture with regional aspects, leading to a broader, more detailed subject.
Forms subjects by overlaying facets.
- Lamination 1: Combines one or more isolate facets with a basic subject.
- Example: “Botany Morphology.”
- Lamination 2: Combines species of basic subjects or isolates.
- Example: “Urban Youths.”
4. Loose Assemblage
Loose Assemblage refers to the combination of two or more subjects or facets to form a complex subject. It involves examining their mutual relations through various types such as comparison, influence, or tool usage, resulting in a more comprehensive understanding, like studying the relationship between physics and biology.
Forms complex subjects by combining multiple simple or compound subjects or isolates.
- Assemblage 1: Relates subjects (e.g., “Physics compared with Chemistry”).
- Assemblage 2: Relates isolates from the same schedule (e.g., “Comparison of Hinduism and Buddhism”).
- Assemblage 3: Relates isolates within an array (e.g., “UDC compared to DDC”).
5. Fission
Fission is the process of dividing a basic subject or an isolate into smaller, coordinate subfields. It can involve splitting a primary subject, like biology into botany and zoology, or dividing an isolate, such as geographical regions, into smaller divisions like countries or cities.
Splits a basic subject or isolate into subdivisions (fragmentation).
- Fission of Basic Subject: Example: “Biology” split into “Botany” and “Zoology.”
- Fission of Isolate Ideas: Example: “Asia ➡ China, India, Iran, etc.”
6. Fusion
Fusion is the process where two or more primary basic subjects combine to form a new subject, losing their individual identities in the process. For example, biochemistry is created by fusing biology and chemistry, resulting in a new, unified field of study.
- Combines two or more basic subjects into a new primary subject.
- Example: “Biology + Chemistry = Biochemistry.”
7. Distillation
Distillation is the process of creating a pure discipline from a compound subject. It involves extracting a primary basic subject from its interaction with other subjects. For example, microbiology and forestry are developed by distilling key concepts from biology, resulting in new, specialized fields of study.
- Extracts pure disciplines from diverse applications.
- Example: “Microbiology” and “Forestry.”
8. Agglomeration
Agglomeration refers to the collection of multiple entities into a large mass without cohesion among the components. It can involve basic subjects or isolated ideas. For example, natural sciences or the combination of history and economics represent agglomerations, where different subjects are grouped together without specific structural relationships.
- Groups entities into collections without cohesion.
- Example: “Natural Sciences” or “History and Economics.”
9. Cluster
Cluster refers to the grouping of several specialized studies or entities on a particular phenomenon or topic into a broader field of study. It is also known as a subject bundle. Examples include social sciences and natural sciences, where various related subjects are combined to form a cohesive study area.
- Collects specialized studies on a phenomenon into a field of study (subject bundle).
- Example: “Social Science” or “Natural Science.”
MCQs on Modes of Formation of Subjects With Answer
- Who introduced the concept of the formation of new subjects within the universe of knowledge?
- A) M. P. Gopinath
- B) S. R. Ranganathan
- C) S. Seetharama
- D) C. K. Gaddini
- Answer: B) S. R. Ranganathan
- What is the primary purpose of studying the formation of new subjects?
- A) To create new library books
- B) To understand how subjects evolve and interrelate
- C) To improve the cataloging process
- D) To map geographical regions
- Answer: B) To understand how subjects evolve and interrelate
- Which of the following is a type of subject formation mode introduced by Dr. S. R. Ranganathan?
- A) Expansion
- B) Dissection
- C) Alignment
- D) Compression
- Answer: B) Dissection
- What does the process of ‘Denudation’ in subject formation involve?
- A) Dividing a broad subject into smaller parts
- B) Narrowing the scope of a subject while increasing its depth
- C) Overlaying facets to form a compound subject
- D) Combining two or more subjects into one
- Answer: B) Narrowing the scope of a subject while increasing its depth
- Which mode of subject formation involves breaking a broad subject into smaller parts?
- A) Denudation
- B) Dissection
- C) Fission
- D) Agglomeration
- Answer: B) Dissection
- What does ‘Lamination’ in subject formation refer to?
- A) Combining subjects to create a new, unified field
- B) Dividing a subject into smaller components
- C) Overlaying facets to form a new subject
- D) Reducing a subject’s scope while increasing depth
- Answer: C) Overlaying facets to form a new subject
- What is an example of ‘Fusion’ in subject formation?
- A) “Botany + Zoology = Life Sciences”
- B) “Physics + Chemistry = Biochemistry”
- C) “History + Economics = Political Science”
- D) “Mathematics + Literature = Philology”
- Answer: B) “Physics + Chemistry = Biochemistry”
- Which mode of subject formation involves grouping unrelated subjects without any specific structural relationship?
- A) Agglomeration
- B) Loose Assemblage
- C) Fission
- D) Cluster
- Answer: A) Agglomeration
- Which of the following is an example of ‘Fission’ in subject formation?
- A) “Physics and Chemistry combined to form Biochemistry”
- B) “Life Sciences divided into Botany and Zoology”
- C) “Botany Morphology”
- D) “History combined with Economics”
- Answer: B) “Life Sciences divided into Botany and Zoology”
- What is the outcome of ‘Distillation’ in subject formation?
- A) Creation of a new subject by combining several basic subjects
- B) Formation of a pure discipline from a compound subject
- C) Grouping unrelated subjects together
- D) Narrowing the focus of a broad subject
- Answer: B) Formation of a pure discipline from a compound subject
References
- Ranganathan, S. R. (1931). The Five Laws of Library Science. Madras: The Madras Library Association.
- Ranganathan, S. R. (1937). Prolegomena to Library Classification. Madras: The Madras Library Association.
- Ranganathan, S. R. (1960). Classification and Communication. London: Asia Publishing House.
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