This presentation describes the mode of formation of subjects.

1. MODES OF FORMATION OF
SUBJECTS
BY
GORDONAMIDU
MLISc. STUDENT ANDHRA UNIVERSITY

2. INTRODUCTIO
N
In the words of S.R.Ranganathan
‘Knowledge is the totalities of the
ideas conserved’.
.

3. An idea is the product of thinking,
reflecting, imaging etc.
A subject is the integration or fusion of
many linked or similar ideas.

4. WHAT IS THE MODES OF FORMATION OF
SUBJECTS?
 The modes of formation subjects represents a system of
relationships which act as a guide in recognizing and
formulating relationships among concepts constituting a
subject.

5.  Many philosophers and library scientists have
methodically studied the relationship of ideas and modes
of formation of subjects.
 Dr. S.R.Ranganathan and his followers analyzed subjects and
their inter-relationships systematically. On analysis of subjects,
they identified the following modes of formation of subjects.
 Simply means, after systematic investigation of subjects and their
closeness or inter-relationships by Dr. S.R.Ranganathan and his
followers they identified the following procedures or approaches
to the formation of subjects.

6. MODES OF FORMATION OF SUBJECTS
1.Loose Assemblage
2.Lamination
3.Fission
4.Fusion
5.Distillation
6.Agglomeration
7.Cluster

7. 1) LOOSE ASSEMBLAGE
 The assembling together of two or more subjects or
isolate ideas.
 The subjects formed by this method are called
complex subjects.
 It is basically concerned with mutual relations
Six types of such relationships are identified among
the components

8. SIX (6) TYPES
1.General Relation
EXAMPLE
Relation Subject
General Mathematics and Physics
2. Difference
EXAMPLE
Relation Subject
Difference Difference between library and sociology

9. 3. Bios
EXAMPLE
Relation Subject
Bios Mathematics for Doctors
4. Influencing
EXAMPLE
Relation Subject
Influencing Role of religion in politics

10. 5. Comparison
EXAMPLE
Relation Subject
comparison Comparative study of Hinduism and Buddhism
6. Tool
EXAMPLE
Relation Subject
Tool Computers in Libraries

11. Relationship Intra-subject relation
General Introduction to Botany and Zoology
Bios Psychology for Managers
Comparison Comparative study of geography and history
Difference The difference between Botany and Agriculture
Influence Role of religion in politics
Tool Computers in Libraries
Kinds of loose assemblages
Three (3) Kinds
1.Loose Assemblage (kind-1)
 In this kind two or more basic subjects (simple or compound) are related in any of
the six types of relationships stated above.
 This is identified as inter-subject or intra subject phase relation.
EXAMPLE

12. 2. Loose Assemblage (kind-2)
 In this mode of formation of subjects, two or more isolate ideas of the same
schedule are assembled to form new subjects.
 The relationship of the isolate ideas are any one of the six types of relations
already stated.
EXAMPLE
Relationship Intra-facet relation
General Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism
Bios Cataloguing in Special libraries
Comparison Comparative study of Jainism & Buddhism
Difference Difference between chemotherapy and
radiotherapy
Influence Influence of cataloguing on reference services

13. 3. Loose Assemblage (kind-3)
Here the complex subjects are formed by the assembly of
two or more isolates of the same array in any one of the six
types of relations stated above.
isolate ideas belonging to the same array of a facet are in
a relation with each other
EXAMPLE

14. Relationship Intra-array relation
General Study of inductive and deductive logic
(scientific inquiry in social work)
Bias Consumer survey for marketing
(functions of management)
Comparison Study of rural and urban areas.
(social groups in sociology)
Difference Difference between export and import duty
(Trade)
Influence Influence of classification on cataloguing
(library science)

15. 2) LAMINATION
 The basic layer is a basic subject and the other layers are isolate
ideas.
 The subjects formed in this mode are called compound subjects.
According to S.R.Ranganathan following kinds of lamination are
identified in formation of subjects:
Two (2) kinds

16. 1.Lamination (kind-1)
 One or more isolate facets are combined with the basic
subject giving rise to a compound subject.
Example: Anatomy of human body.
Basic subject = Medicine.
Isolate facet = Human body, Anatomy.

17. 2. Lamination (kind-2)
 Two or more species of the basic subjects going with the same primary
basic subject are laminated over one another giving rise to compound
subject
Example
Species of basic subject = Radiation physics
+
Species of basic subject = wave mechanics
Compound subject = Study of radiation according to wave mechanics

18. 3) FISSION
 Basic subject or an isolate is split into subdivision which is commonly
known as fragmentation.
Two (2) kinds
1. Dissection
 In this kind of fission the universe of entities are cut into parts of co-
ordinate status, which means each lamina formed by dissection stands
independent of another.
 It is one of the methods of formation of basic subjects and isolates.

19. EXAMPLE
Asia
Europe
Africa
(Each lamina formed by dissection stands independent of another)

20. 2. Denudation
 In this mode subjects are formed as gradual subdivisions of a larger subject.
EXAMPLE
Mathematics
Algebra
Trigonometry
Calculus
Geometry
Asia
INDIA
Andhra Pradesh
Delhi
Mumbai

21. 4) FUSION
Fusion is a process or result of joining two or more things
together to form one.
The two things that are joined together lose their identities
to form a new thing with new properties.
Two or more primary basic subjects are merged in such a
way that each loses its identity and form a new primary
basic subject.

22. EXAMPLE
 Biology + Chemistry = Bio-chemistry
(This is formed by fusing Biology and Chemistry)
 Biology and Engineering = Bio-Engineering
(This is formed by fusing Biology and Engineering)

23. 5) DISTILLATION
 This mode a pure discipline is formed as main subject out of
its appearance-in-action in diverse subjects.
EXAMPLE
 Research Methodology
 Management science

24. 6) AGGLOMERATION
 Several main subjects are comprehended integrally to form
broad subject areas which are studied as subjects.
EXAMPLE
 Natural sciences
 Physical sciences
 Social sciences

25. 7.CLUSTER
 Several specialized studies on a particular entity are gathered together into
the field of study.
EXAMPLE
 Space Science
(Here space is the entity that forms the focus of the cluster)
 Indology
(Here all the literature that are generated about India)
 Ocean Science
(Here ocean is the focus of the cluster).

26. THANK YOU