Categorization

About

• This is a wikipage about list categorization methods- their pros, cons, and special characteristics.

Text Style Categorization

• Example:

Shapes

Square

Circle

Triangle

Colours

Red

Blue

Yellow

• Text Style categorization uses the differentiation of the text itself to form categories.

• In the above example, the bolded text represented the categories and the unbolded text the items.

• Different patterns can be incorporated into text style categorization. For instance, darker or lighter font, larger or smaller font, or a combination of the two are common.

• A major advantage of this method is its intuitiveness. Especially if bolding and font size are used, the categorization method is plainly visually emphasized.

• A major disadvantage of this method is its lack of scalability in creating multiple levels of categories. For instance, if 7 category levels were necessary, then 7 different shades of black or 7 different font sizes must be used- in which case distinguishing the difference and size of font become impractical at an early extent.

• This categorization method is best suited to lists that include low-level categories (ideally 2 levels max) and can take advantage of the intuitiveness.

Ascending Numeric Categorization

• Example:

1 Apples

1.1 Red

1.2 Green

2 Pears

2.1 Green

2.2 Golden

2.2.1 Striped

2.2.2 Spotted

3 Strawberries

4 Blueberries

5 Oranges

5.1 Small

5.2 Medium

5.3 Large

• In this method, each category or item is assigned a number and placed in ascending order within the list. Categories are formed whenever a decimal is used to "step up" a category. For instance, in the example above, "Apples" are categorized into "Red" and "Green"; "Golden" "Pears" are categorized into "Striped" and "Spotted".

• A major advantage is the ability to use the category numbers as discrete identities. For example, in the list above, "Blueberries" are equivalent to the number 4; "Large" "Oranges" are equivalent to the number 5.3 -allowing numeric referencing to be used for such a list.

• A major disadvantage is the difficulty of removing an item or category. All items and categories are numbered and each have their place within the ordered list. As a result, removing an item of category must be combined with the re-numbering of other items. For example, look at the following:

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

.......

1.34

If one were to remove the item associated with the category number "1.4", then in order to ensure numbering consistency, items "1.5" thru "1.34" must all be modified (to become "1.4" thru "1.33" instead). Evidently, this categorization method carries many ordering dependencies.

• A major disadvantage is its lack of scalability for creating multi-level categories. For example:

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.5

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.6

... and so on

For this categorization method, the process of creating a new category level is defined by the use of a decimal or similar additive element, hence is analogous to Roman numerals and its difficulties in handling large numbers.

• This categorization method is best suited to lists that change their order little (or have only a few items in a given category; around 10 max recommended) and use few category levels (around 5 max recommended); can take advantage of the ability to numerically reference and numerically order their categories and items.

Level Numbering Categorization

• Example:

1 Food

2 Pineapple

2 Pizza

2 Cheese

2 Tomato

3 Diced

3 Sauce

2 Mushrooms

1 Drinks

2 Juice

3 Carrot

3 Orange

2 Coffee

2 Tea

2 Soda

• The above example is one type of this categorization method, where each item of category is assigned a category level number and ordered to categorize the high numbered items (high = weak category strength) into the lower numbered categories (low = strong category strength).

• Alternatively, another style of this categorization method omits item numbering in favour of category level designators; example:

1

Food

2

Pineapple

Pizza

Cheese

Tomato

3

Diced

Sauce

2

Mushrooms

1

Drinks

2

Juice

3

Carrot

Orange

2

Coffee

Tea

Soda

• A major advantage of this categorization method is its scalability for creating multi-level categories. Because base 10 numbers represent the category numbers, adding a category level is simply applying an increased number in the next item of category; example:

1 Bolts

2 Stainless Steel

3 Metric

4 100mm

5 Pack of 100

• A major disadvantage is its lack of intuitiveness.

• A major disadvantage is difficulties with removing category levels; example:

1 Matter

2 Solid

3 Metallic

4 Tough

If one were to remove "1 Matter", then the other 3 category levels must be revised to retain order consistency.

• This categorization method is suited towards lists with high maximum of items and category levels but low rate of category level editing.

Relative Leveling Categorization

• Example:

Tools

+1

Hammer

Table

Wrenches

+1

10mm

20mm

30mm

-1

Drill Press

-1

Materials

+1

Steel

+1

Round Bar

+1

40mm Dia

50mm Dia

60mm Dia

-2

Aluminum Plate

+1

50mm x 50mm x 100mm

-2

• The + and - corresponds to increasing or decreasing category levels by a set number. Items and categories are separate from the category leveling designators but ordered together to produce categorization. Note that the designators are not ordered like 1-2-3, hence avoids creating dependencies in the category levels.

• A major advantage is scalability of category levels.

• A major advantage is non-dependent items and categories and category levels.

• A major disadvantage is lack of intuitiveness.

• This categorization method is suited for lists that have a high maximum of items, categories, and category levels and a high rate of category level editing; where the lack of intuitiveness can be surmounted.