# descriptive bibliography

> area of bibliography dealing with the material conditions of books

**Wikidata**: [Q70331601](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q70331601)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/descriptive-bibliography

## Summary
Descriptive bibliography is the branch of bibliography that focuses on the material conditions of books. It is an academic discipline dedicated to the study of books as physical objects and artifacts.

## Key Facts
- Classified as a subclass of bibliography, the academic discipline that studies books.
- Identified by the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) Concept Unique Identifier (CUI) C0005361.
- Categorized in the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) system under descriptor ID D001636.
- Assigned the MeSH tree code L01.462.750.183.190.
- Specifically deals with the material conditions and physical characteristics of book production.
- Part of a broader field (bibliography) that maintains a sitelink count of 84 across various knowledge platforms.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary focus of descriptive bibliography?
A: Descriptive bibliography focuses on the material conditions of books. It examines the physical aspects and production history of books rather than just their textual content.

### Q: How is descriptive bibliography categorized in academic research?
A: It is categorized as a subclass of bibliography. In technical indexing systems, it is recognized under MeSH descriptor D001636 and UMLS CUI C0005361.

### Q: What is the relationship between descriptive bibliography and general bibliography?
A: Descriptive bibliography is a specialized area within the broader academic discipline of bibliography. While bibliography is the general study of books, the descriptive branch specifically addresses their physical and material states.

## Why It Matters
Descriptive bibliography is significant because it provides the framework for understanding books as material objects. By focusing on the material conditions of books, this discipline allows for the systematic documentation of how books are physically constructed and preserved. This is essential for the academic study of books, as it provides a standardized method for identifying and distinguishing between different physical versions of a work. 

As a subclass of bibliography, it supports the broader academic discipline by providing technical data and physical evidence that can be used to verify the history and production of printed materials. Its inclusion in major classification systems like MeSH and UMLS highlights its relevance in organized knowledge and information science, ensuring that the physical history of books is treated with the same rigor as their intellectual content.

## Notable For
- **Material Focus**: Distinguishes itself by dealing specifically with the material conditions of books.
- **Formal Classification**: Recognized as a distinct subclass within the academic discipline of bibliography.
- **Standardized Indexing**: Formally identified in global medical and scientific indexing systems including MeSH and UMLS.

## Body

### Academic Classification
Descriptive bibliography is defined as a subclass of bibliography. Bibliography itself is the overarching academic discipline that studies books. Descriptive bibliography serves as a specialized field within this discipline, focusing on the physical and material aspects of book production and existence.

### Technical Identification
The field is formally recognized in several major knowledge databases:
- **MeSH**: It is listed under the descriptor "Bibliography, Descriptive" with the ID D001636. Its position in the MeSH tree is L01.462.750.183.190.
- **UMLS**: It is assigned the Concept Unique Identifier C0005361.
- **Wikidata**: It is described as the area of bibliography dealing with the material conditions of books.

### Scope and Methodology
The primary scope of descriptive bibliography is the material condition of books. This involves the systematic study of the book as a physical artifact. Unlike other forms of bibliography that might focus on lists of titles or the history of ideas, descriptive bibliography prioritizes the physical evidence found in the book's construction and material state. This focus allows researchers to categorize and document the physical evolution of printed works within the broader academic study of books.

## References

1. [Source](https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/record/ui?ui=D001636)
2. UMLS 2023