THE CONCEPTS OF DOCUMENT AND CLASSIFICATION

A DEBATE ON THE CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF INFORMATION SCIENCE

Authors

Keywords:

document, classification, Information Science, epistemology, foundations

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate to what extent the conceptual pair document-classification can be understood as a central foundation of Information Science. Methodologically, this is a qualitative bibliographic study based on the analysis of classical texts in the field, complemented by a narrative review of contemporary literature retrieved from the Brapci and Benancib databases. The results indicate that both the concepts of document and classification are understood as historical and social constructs, produced through processes of mediation and meaning-making. Furthermore, the literature frequently associates the constitution of documents with classificatory operations and recognizes classification as a structuring element of information organization and representation processes. It is concluded that document and classification maintain a relationship of mutual constitution, forming a conceptual pair capable of contributing to the understanding of the theoretical foundations of Information Science and to the advancement of epistemological discussions within the field.

Author Biographies

  • Carlos Eduardo da Silva Carvalho, Londrina State University

    Ph.D. candidate in Information Science at the State University of Londrina (PPGCI/UEL). Master’s degree in Information Science from the State University of Londrina (PPGCI/UEL) (2025). Bachelor’s degrees in Archival Science and History.

  • Ana Cristina de Albuquerque, Londrina State University

    Ph.D. in Information Science from the Júlio de Mesquita Filho State University of São Paulo (UNESP). Associate Professor in the Department of Information Science at the State University of Londrina (UEL), where she teaches in the undergraduate programs in Archival Science and Library Science. Tenured faculty member in the Graduate Program in Information Science (PPGCI UEL).

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Published

2026-11-13

Conference Proceedings Volume

2026: XXVI ENCONTRO NACIONAL DE PESQUISA E PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM CIÊNCIA DA INFORMAÇÃO

Section

GT 1 – Estudos Históricos e Epistemológicos da Ciência da Informação

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