Controlled List Requirements

Owned by Megan Forbes
Last updated: Dec 22, 2021
1 min read

Definition

A list (also sometimes called a pick list) is a limited set of terms arranged as a simple alphabetical list or in some other logically evident way. Lists are used to describe aspects of content objects or entities that have a limited number of possibilities. Examples include geography (e.g., country, state, city), language (e.g., English, French, Swedish), or format (e.g., text, image, sound).

Requirements

The system should allow the user to:

  • Create a controlled list of unique terms
  • Control the order of terms in a controlled list
  • Assign the controlled list to a field or fields
  • Add new terms to a list
  • Invalidate list terms

Standards, Guidelines + Use Cases

Use Cases

From presentation noted below:

In a well-constructed controlled list:

  • Each term must be unique (no homographs)
  • Terms should all be members of the same class
  • Terms should not be overlapping in meaning
  • Terms should be equal in granularity or specificity
  • Terms are arranged alphabetically or in another logical order


Definition from ANSI/NISO Z39.19-2005

Requirements from: "Seek and Ye Shall Find," a presentation by Murtha Baca from the 2008 SLA annual conference, available at http://www.slideshare.net/vonjobi/murtha-baca-470569, (accessed September 9, 2009).