Fields of science and technology classifications

Draft

This piece aims to summarize popular classifications of science and technology.

The OECD Frascati classification of science and technology (FOS)

“The Frascati Manual was originally written by and for the experts in OECD member countries who collect and issue national data on research and development (R&D). Over the years, it has become the standard of conduct for R&D surveys and data collection not only in the OECD and the European Union, but also in several non-member economies, for example, through the science and technology surveys of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS).” (Innovation in science, technology and industry, Frascati Manual: Proposed Standard Practice for Surveys on Research and Experimental Development, 6th edition (retrieved July 7, 2013).

Both versions distinguish six top-level categories: 1. Natural sciences; 2. Engineering and technology; 3. Medical and health sciences; 4. Agricultural sciences; 5. Social sciences; 6. Humanities.

(OECD FOS version 2)

Also known as Revised Field of Science and Technology (FOS) classification

Adoped by:

• UNstats. Quote: “This classification should be used for the R&D expenditure of the government, higher education and PNP (Private Non-Profit) sectors and if possible of the BE (Business enterprise) sector and for personnel data in all sectors.”

UNESCO nomenclature for fields of science and technology

The Proposed international standard nomenclature for fields of science and technology was proposed in 1973 and 1974 by the Division of Science Policy and Statistics for Science and Technology of UNESCO and adopted by the Scientific Advisory Committee. This is a classification system widely used in knowledge management of research projects and dissertations. Categories are divided into three hierarchical levels:

• Fields: Refering to general sections. Encoded with two digits and comprises several disciplines.
• Disciplines: Provide an overview of specialty groups in Science and Technology. Encoded with four digits. Despite being different from each other disciplines with cross references, or within the same field, are considered to have common characteristics.
• Subdisciplines: Entries are the more specific elements of the nomenclature and represent the activities that take place within a discipline. Encoded with six digits. In turn, must correspond to individual specialties in science and technology.

(SKOS, retrieved July 9, 2013)

Fields

   11 Logic
   12 Mathematics
   21 Astronomy and astrophysics
   22 Physics
   23 Chemistry
   24 Life Sciences
   25 Earth and Space Sciences
   31 Agricultural Sciences
   32 Medical Sciences
   33 Technological Sciences
   51 Anthropology
   52 Demographics
   53 Economic Sciences
   54 Geography
   55 History
   56 Juridical Sciences and Law
   57 Linguistics
   58 Pedagogy
   59 Political Science
   61 Psychology
   62 Science of Arts and Letters
   63 Sociology
   71 Ethics
   72 Philosophy