ISO 12615:2004

Overview

ISO 12615:2004 specifies how to record, store and exchange bibliographic references and source identifiers specifically for terminology work and terminography. Aligned with ISO 690 and ISO 690-2, it defines the data elements and presentation order needed to unambiguously identify sources used in terminological projects and to represent those elements as compact, unique source identifiers for use in computer applications and documentation.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope: Covers bibliographic sources used by terminologists (monographs, serials, standards, laws, databases, electronic messages, audio, software, etc.). It explicitly excludes bibliographic descriptions intended principally for librarians and bibliographers.
• Data elements: Specifies which bibliographic data elements should be recorded for terminology work and the required sequence for presentation (based on ISO 690 / ISO 690-2).
• Source identifiers: Describes how bibliographic elements map into a coding/identifier system and how constituent parts can be assembled to provide a unique identifier for a source.
• Interchange formats: Includes guidance and examples for exchange (Annex A: examples based on ISO 690/690-2; Annex B: identifiers for documents lacking ISBN/ISSN; Annex C: XML representations for transfer).
• Conventions: Recommends consistent levels of detail appropriate to use-cases (databases, bibliographies, citations) and strict adherence to the chosen conventions to ensure unambiguous identification.

Applications and practical value

• Identifying, tracing and validating terminological data - link terms and concepts to their precise documentary sources.
• Cross-referencing - point users from terminological entries directly to authoritative documents.
• Data flow management and collaboration - support networking and cooperative terminology documentation by using standardized identifiers and exchange formats.
• Terminology databases and tools - use bibliographic references and source identifiers as data categories in terminology management systems and CAT/authoring tools.
• Technical documentation and research - generate consistent bibliographies, citations and source lists that support reproducibility and validation of terminological decisions.

Who should use ISO 12615:2004

• Terminologists, terminography project managers and lexicographers
• Developers of terminology databases and terminology exchange tools
• Technical writers, translators and standardization professionals who need reliable source linking for terms
• Organizations managing multilingual terminological resources and collaborative terminology projects

Related standards

• ISO 690 / ISO 690-2 (bibliographic references)
• ISO 1087-1 / ISO 1087-2 (terminology vocabulary and computer applications)
• ISO 2108 (ISBN), ISO 3297 (ISSN), ISO 3166 (country codes)
• ISO 15836 (Dublin Core - noted as a simpler alternative for some needs)

Keywords: ISO 12615:2004, bibliographic references, source identifiers, terminology work, terminography, terminological data exchange, ISO 690, terminology databases.