What is ISO-IEC 25964-1:2014?

ISO-IEC 25964-1:2014 is an international standard that provides guidelines for thesaurus construction and management. Thesauri are valuable tools used in various domains, such as libraries, databases, and information systems, to improve information retrieval and facilitate knowledge organization. This article aims to explore the key aspects of ISO-IEC 25964-1:2014 and its significance in the field of information management.

Thesaurus Construction

Thesaurus construction is a meticulous process that involves organizing concepts into a hierarchical structure. ISO-IEC 25964-1:2014 provides detailed guidelines on creating a thesaurus that ensures consistency, accuracy, and usability. It emphasizes the importance of clear and unambiguous term definitions, synonym control, and structural relationships. By following these guidelines, organizations can develop robust thesauri that enhance information retrieval and enable efficient knowledge discovery.

Thesaurus Management

Once a thesaurus is constructed, ongoing management is crucial to keep it relevant and up-to-date. ISO-IEC 25964-1:2014 offers recommendations for managing thesauri throughout their lifecycle. It covers methodologies for term modification, addition, and deletion, as well as refinement strategies for maintaining conceptual integrity. Effective thesaurus management ensures that the vocabulary remains aligned with evolving domain needs and supports accurate information organization and retrieval.

Interoperability and Interchangeability

ISO-IEC 25964-1:2014 also highlights the importance of interoperability and interchangeability of thesauri. It provides guidelines for mapping and aligning different thesauri to promote seamless integration and exchange of data between information systems. This interoperability enables improved access to diverse resources, enhances cross-domain search capabilities, and fosters collaboration among different knowledge communities. By adopting ISO-IEC 25964-1:2014, organizations can ensure that their thesauri are compatible with other systems, maximizing the value and reusability of their knowledge assets.