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Introduction to Information Science - DAVID BAWDEN and LYN ROBINSON
Information science uniqueness
Every science field has the same goal. Discover some kind of hidden knowledge to mankind. The sole purpose of science is to realize what the facts (or in other words truth) are. Every field concentrates on different aspect of the world. Biology studies nature, psychology human minds and behaviour, etc. The backbone of those categories are that they do not work with the whole “information chain” that is necessary for deeper understanding of all the correlations with aspects outside of the perceived science field.
That is where Information science steps in. What it tries is to concentrate on the whole information chain regarding any aspect. This is almost unachievable, but if one wants to understand WHY REALLY is something happening it is necessary. That is also why Information science is being taught at all thinkable faculties. Every science category needs to produce those thinkers that will try to seek other aspects that have yet been overseen by the “veterans”.
For example in my bachelors work I will concentrate on the information overflow and possible methods of dealing with it (basically why people can’t select relevant data and often reach the “overheating brain” state.) The first thing I will do will be the selection of evolution theory and human nature theory that will be the core of my logical processes. I have almost never witnessed psychologist saying which evolution theory and human nature theory they work with, yet they study human brains and behaviour just like I will and if one wants to understand why any given human being is acting like he is, we need to understand his deepest core elements. But evolution theory is the subject matter of biology, while human nature is the subject matter of philosophy. Do you see the difference between psychologist and information scientist? This is of course not desecration of other science fields, but rather the pinpointing of the strength of the Information science.
Essential questions
To get to know characteristics of any given field of study, we need to get to know the core questions they ask and the problems they try to solve. Information science naturally has potentially infinite amount of those questions, but I will try to illustrate its characteristics by selecting some of the interesting ones. Here they come.
Marcia Bates – What are the main universes’ laws of listed questions? What is the humankind’s stance towards information? How do they seek it and use it? How to ensure the fastest and the most potent access to listed information?” (translated…the original has not been found)
Andrew Dillon – “What is the essential nature of information that might relate diverse endeavours (communicating, maintaining biological life, learning and finding) where the term is employed meaningfully? How do we move from an information provision model (storage, retrieval, management etc.) to one where we identify and shape the manner in which information nourishes a culture, an organization or an individual?“
John A. Wheeler – „Has there been a „bit“ before? Where does the meaning originate?“ (translated…the original has not been found)
I hope that every inner philosopher in you guys is starting to feel the attraction towards Information science by now:P. Hopefully it will be more satisfied with every following article.
