Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The third level identifies the
analytical procedures
which are appropriate for
carrying out an analytical task. In this topic, we have given priority to two very
common procedures which can be used in a great many analytical tasks - the
procedures of
free description*
and
controlled description*
. Finally, the fourth level
identifies the specific
analytical activities
which define a procedure of analysis.
These activities, as we know, are all defined in the meta-lexicon of conceptual terms
beginning with the root term [Procedure of analysis].
This
four-level
vision of the activity of analysis is in fact directly expressed in
the hierarchical, modular and configurational organization of an ASW model of
description.
Thus, a specific
typeofanalysis
(1
st
level, Figure 4.3) manifests itself in the form
of one or more models of description. For instance, analysis of the content of an
audiovisual text, which is a specific type of analysis, requires one or more
modelsof
thematic description*
which belong to a
libraryofmodelsofdescription*
- a library
which we use to analyze, for example, the
objects*
belonging to the
universe of
discourse*
of an audiovisual archive.
A specific
analytical task
(2
nd
level, Figure 4.3) manifests itself in the form of
one or more sequences of description. As we know, a sequence of description forms
a specific
building block*
used to create a model of description. Thus, the task of
referential description*
, aimed at identifying and explicitizing the domain or the
knowledge object thematized in an audiovisual text, is supported by one or more
sequences which are functionally specialized for that task (see our example in
Chapter 3).
A
procedure of analysis
(3
rd
level, Figure 4.3) in turn is supported by one or
more
schemas of definition*
. As explained in the previous chapter, the schema of
definition of a
descriptive activity*
, along with the
object of the analysis
(i.e. the
object to be described), forms a sequence of description. For instance, the schema of
the procedure of
free description*
can make up not only a sequence which is
functionally specialized in the referential description of a domain of knowledge, but
also one which is specialized in the description of the discourse production around
the domain of knowledge thematized, a sequence that is functionally specialized in
the description of the audiovisual or verbal expression of the thematized domain of
knowledge, etc. (see our examples in Chapter 3).
Finally, an
analyticalactivity
(4
th
level, Figure 4.3) is defined in the
meta-lexicon
of conceptual terms*
denoting all analytical activities in the ASW universe of
discourse. One or more descriptive activities make up a schema of definition. Thus,
the activity [Drafting a summary presentation] may - along with other descriptive
activities - define the schema of
free description*
, the schema of
controlled
