What is Literary Warrant?

[RABIN CHATTERJEE]

Define Literary Warrant.

[Abu Taiyab]

literary warrant means that an indexer or classifier has to provide adequate ground for the indexing, classifying (as well as the definition of indexing terms and classes in classification systems) in the literature. Warrant is also the justification for the inclusion of a term or a class in a controlled vocabulary as well as its definition and relations to other terms.

[SANTOSH KUMAR]

literary warrant

E. Wyndham Hulme (1859-1954) proposed the concept of literary warrant as the basis of book classification and the definition of subject classes, wherein classes and names of classes would be derived from existing literature rather than a preconceived philosophical order of sciences, the predominant and favored type of classification system in Hulme's day. The methods of establishing classes by literary warrant are described and its relationship to what Hulme called "statistical bibliography" is explored.