Who has classified the documentary sources of information into the following category “Conventional, Neo-conventional, Non-conventional and Meta documents”?

The correct answer is S R Ranganathan:

Key Points

• The following is the schematic representation of the classification of documents as given by Ranganathan.

• Conventional documents are those which are usually recorded on paper in a natural language by writing, typing, printing, or some near-printing process.
  • These include books, periodicals, maps, atlases, etc.
• ​Neo- conventional documents are a new class of micro-documents, such as standards, specifications, patents, data, etc.
• Non-conventional documents are a record in nonconventional size, shape, or material. Audios, visuals, audio-visuals, microforms, etc are included in this category.
• Meta-documents are a record of phenomena made
  directly, unmediated, by the human mind. They are instrument records of natural and social phenomena made possible by instrument technology, photography, radar, etc.

Additional Information

• C W Hanson:
  • ​Hanson divides documents into two categories - primary and secondary.
• ​Dennis Grogan:
  • Grogan goes further and categorizes documents as primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Important Points

• The concept of Library Arts collage was introduced by Louis Shores.
• ASTAFS was given by Louis Shores.
• Basic Reference Sources and an introduction to materials and methods were written by Louis shores.