Faceted analysis: a methodological study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/1518-2924.2025.e103083

Keywords:

Faceted Analysis, Faceted Classification, Research and Analysis Methods

Abstract

Objective: Faceted analysis is an approach to knowledge organization systems, specifically the classification system, that represents and categorizes knowledge according to facets, different from the enumerate model, which is classified by disciplines. It is different from the more popular systems, and there is a strong demand for studies of this system. Thus, this article aimed to analyze articles from scientific journals that explained more about what it is and how to apply it to the faceted analysis.

Methods: To this, a survey was carried out in the Library Information Science and Technology Abstracts database, covering complete articles published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish over 12 years (2012–2023). The analysis used content analysis methods and conceptual maps to visually demonstrate the concepts and their relationships according to the analysed material.

Results: Observed that the faceted analysis concept has two distinct meanings (theory and method) unsatisfactorily discussed in the publications, mainly concerning facet analysis as a method.  Regardless of these issues, it is possible to understand its concepts and definitions as a theory.

Conclusions: The conclusion is that faceted analysis can be considered a method and a theoretical approach. In different contexts, it may apply, including the web. It has a rigorous process for terminological analysis and aims to take at knowledge from distinct perspectives.

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Author Biographies

Samantha Augusta dos Santos de Jesus, Paulista State University

PhD student in Information Science and master's degree in Information Science from the Postgraduate Program in Information Science (PPGCI) at the São Paulo State University (UNESP), bachelor's degree in Library Science from the same institution and technical degree in Internet Computing from the Paula Souza Center (CEETEPS). Participates in the Study Group on Knowledge Organization and Representation (GEORC) which aims to promote participation, presentation, discussion and production of texts in the area of ​​Knowledge Organization by all group members. Develops research in the area of ​​knowledge organization and representation, classification and faceted approach.

Walter Moreira, Paulista State University

He holds a degree in Library Science from Faculdades Integradas Teresa D'Ávila (1990), a master's degree in Library Science and Information Science from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (1998), a PhD in Information Science from the University of São Paulo (2010), and a postgraduate degree in Knowledge Organization Systems from Universidade Estadual Paulista (2018). He is an associate professor in the Department of Information Science at Universidade Estadual Paulista, in Marília-SP, working in undergraduate courses in Archival Science, Library Science and the postgraduate program in Information Science. He develops research on knowledge organization systems, documentary languages, terminology, ontologies and classification theory.

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Published

2025-05-09

How to Cite

JESUS, Samantha Augusta dos Santos de; MOREIRA, Walter. Faceted analysis: a methodological study. Encontros Bibli: electronic journal of library science, archival science and information science, Florianópolis/SC, Brasil, v. 30, p. 1–27, 2025. DOI: 10.5007/1518-2924.2025.e103083. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/eb/article/view/103083. Acesso em: 7 dec. 2025.

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Vol. 30 (2025): For diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible science

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Copyright (c) 2025 Samantha Augusta dos Santos de Jesus, Walter Moreira

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