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Overview of DeCS's tree structure
DeCS follows the tradition of the classification systems and their respective
subject heading lists which have been transformed into specialized
vocabularies without, however, changing the structures of the
classification systems from which they originated. Its tree structure is
well-grounded in the division of knowledge in decimal classes and
subclasses respecting their conceptual and semantic relationships, and its
terms are presented in a hybrid structure of pre- and post-coordination. See
also the qualifier hierarchical tree.
When evaluating the proportionality of terms in its contents, we
find some interesting numbers. From the aproximately 173.000 DeCS terms (2006
version):
- 25.1% refer to chemical compounds and drugs, both exogenous and
endogenous;
- 21.9% of the total are the anatomical terms, the organisms and
the biological sciences;
- the terms referring to disease, a very comprehensive category,
represent 12.8% of the total;
- other areas such as techniques, equipment, allied sciences and
geographic areas together represent 20.4%;
- we emphasize still the areas of Public Health, Homeopathy, Environmental Health, and Science and Health
which represent each 10.7%, 6.0%, 2.5%, and 0.7% of the total of terms,
respectfully. These last four categories were especially developed to
better represent the literature generated in the countries of the
region.
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