The document discusses faceted taxonomy as a method for classifying sports-related topics using multiple attributes rather than a single taxonomy. It highlights inconsistencies in competition classifications and suggests adding specific terms for elite sports to enhance clarity, including facets like distance, time, and athlete demographics. The document concludes with a call for expert feedback and collaboration on developing a comprehensive facets vocabulary.

1. NewsCodes and Facets
IPTC Spring meeting 2015
New York City
Heather L. Edwards – Associated Press
1https://www.flickr.com/photos/lost_in_the_library/14289803708/

2. Introduction to faceted taxonomy
Faceted classification classifies
objects using multiple taxonomies
that express their different
attributes or facets rather than
classifying using a single
taxonomy.
2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faceted_classification

3. Introduction to faceted taxonomy
Samsung UN48H6350
48-inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED TV
Electronics
Televisions
…...
48-inch 1080p 120Hz LED Smart TVs
50-inch 1080p 120Hz LED Smart TVs
3http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-UN48H6350-48-Inch-1080p-120Hz/dp/B00I94IR8G/

4. Introduction to faceted taxonomy
Samsung UN48H6350
48-inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED TV
Electronics
Televisions
Brand: Samsung
Size: 48-inch
Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: yes
Type: LED
4http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-UN48H6350-48-Inch-1080p-120Hz/dp/B00I94IR8G/

5. Sports Competition policy
• 307 of 1149 MediaTopics are sports
terms. SubjectCodes has 585!
• Class of competition defined in each
sport is highly inconsistent.
• What is the appropriate level of
granularity?
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6. Sports Competition policy
The competition disciplines section of Media Topics
should contain terms for sports competed at a
professional or elite level.
Sub-sport (discipline) terms may be added where different
rules, techniques, and/or equipment significantly
differentiate competitions.
In sports where all athletes typically train and compete in
all events, individual event terms are not appropriate.
Additional description of competitions or events should be
defined using facets.
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7. What are these facets?
• Distance
• Time
• Number of athletes competing in a team
• Level of competition
• Weightclass
• Age
• Gender
• Ability level of participants
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8. How will we express facets?
• Many are already in the Subject Qualifier
vocabulary.
– http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/subjectqualifier/
– Covered: gender, indoor/outdoor, many competition
levels, stage
– Partially covered: ability level, team size, age
– Candidate: weightclass
• ODF covers ability level thoroughly.
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9. How will we express facets?
• Scalar values – distance and time
– SportsML has the syntax to express scalar values and
units.
– No need for additional controlled terms.
• Ranges – age of athletes
– Minimum and maximum ages
– Conceptual ranges – junior, senior, etc.
– Needs more discussion
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10. How will we express facets?
• Team size
– Subject Qualifiers defines individual, duet, and team.
– Do we need controlled terms for some sports? Or
can team size be a scalar value?
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11. Next steps
• Provide your expert feedback!
• Join NewsCodes dev calls for discussion.
• Update Subject Qualifiers.
• Continue discussion on age ranges, team size.
• Re-consider decisions on swimming,
gymnastics, rowing
• Create facets vocabulary.
• Document best practice for combining facets
into individual terms
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12. Thanks
Please join the Dev group to comment on changes in
progress https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/iptc-newscodes-dev/
Next call: 26 March, 1500 CET / 1400 GMT / 1000 EDT
Submit any change requests
http://dev.iptc.org/NewsCodes-Change-Request-Form
hedwards@ap.org @hl_edwards
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