A guide to terminology used within Oxelbarrow
Understanding the vocabulary used in Oxelbarrow helps new users navigate the system more quickly. This page defines the key terms you will encounter and explains how the category structure is organised.
Classification vocabulary
These are the primary terms used throughout the Oxelbarrow interface to describe content and its organisation.
- Item: A single piece of content available for review within the system.
- Category: A labelled grouping to which items are assigned. Categories are defined by the system configuration.
- Sub-category: A more specific grouping within a parent category. Not all categories have sub-categories.
- Classification: The assignment of an item to one or more categories.
- Review session: A period of active engagement with a category or set of items.
- Flag: A marker applied to an item to indicate it requires follow-up attention.
- Annotation: A short note added to an item during a review session.
Interface and access vocabulary
These terms describe the structural elements of the Oxelbarrow interface and the access model.
- Access level: The configuration assigned to a user following a successful enquiry. Determines which categories and features are available.
- Category navigation: The part of the interface used to move between categories and sub-categories.
- Breadcrumb: An indicator showing the user's current position within the category structure.
- Summary panel: A section of the interface showing the count of items in the current category or sub-category.
- Enquiry: A submission made through the contact form to request access or ask a question.
- Confirmed user: A user whose access request has been reviewed and approved by the support team.
How Oxelbarrow organises information into categories
The Oxelbarrow category structure is hierarchical. At the top level, information is grouped into broad areas that reflect the primary type or subject of the content. Within each top-level category, sub-categories provide a more specific grouping.
The number of levels within the hierarchy depends on the configuration associated with a user's access. Some configurations include only top-level categories; others include two or three levels of sub-categories beneath them.
Categories are assigned by the system operator and cannot be modified by individual users. If a user believes that an item has been incorrectly classified, or that a category is missing, they can submit a question through the enquiry form and the support team will review the matter.
Automated and manual classification
Where classification rules have been defined for a content type, items may be assigned to categories automatically when they are added to the system. Automated classification reduces the time needed for initial sorting but is not infallible — misclassified items may occasionally appear in categories to which they do not belong.
In cases where automated classification is not available or appropriate, items may be assigned manually by the system operator. Users do not have the ability to reclassify items themselves, but they can flag items that appear to be in the wrong category.
How to use terminology when writing an enquiry
When submitting an enquiry through the contact form, using the terminology defined on this page can help the support team understand your question more clearly. For example, rather than asking about "the folders", referring to "the top-level categories" or "sub-categories" will allow the team to respond more precisely.
If you are uncertain which term to use, a plain description of what you are seeing or what you are trying to do is equally useful. The support team is familiar with the questions that new users typically have and will interpret your description accordingly.
Useful pages for new and prospective users
Understand the platform's positioning and what users can expect from the system before requesting access.
FunctionsA full description of the tools that Oxelbarrow provides for working with organised information.
EnquireUse the enquiry form to ask the support team a question or to request access to the system.