Studying the way of classifying encyclopedias from the perspective of knowledge content

Abstract

Classification and definition of concepts of encyclopedias play an important role in helping compilers clearly define the objects for researching and conducting the compilation of an encyclopedia. On the basis of inheriting the previous authors, the article presents the author’s views on the concepts and types of encyclopedias. Accordingly, on the basis of the scopes of knowledge by major, geographical space, social groups, the encyclopedias are divided into four  basic types: general encyclopedias, specialized encyclopedias, local encyclopedias, and social group encyclopedias.