Lyn Robinson

Introduction to information science

Foreword 1. Information science and 21st century information pratices: creatively engaging with information - Theresa Dirndorfer Anderson Foreword 2. The emerging discipline of information - Andrew Dillon Foreword 3. The scope of information science - Jonathan Furner Foreword 4. A fascinating field and a pragmatic enterpirse - Birger Hjorland Foreword 5. A slippery and ubiquitous concept - Fidelia Ibekwe-SanJuan Foreword 6. The future of information science - Maja A umer 1. What is information science? Disciplines and professions 2. History of information: the story of documents 3. Philosophies and paradigms of information science 4. Basic concepts of information science 5. Domain analysis 6. Information organization 7. Information technologies: creation, dissemination and retrieval 8. Infometrics 9. Information behaviour 10. Communicating information: changing contexts 11. Information society 12. Information management and policy 13. Digital literacy 14. Information science research: what and how? 15. The future of the information sciences.

Building on models of information behaviour: linking information seeking and communication

Purpose – This paper aims to gain insights from existing models of information behaviour, building on them to develop a new model which, unlike most others, encompasses both information seeking and communication. By identifying key factors affecting the successful communication and use of information, it is hoped that the model will be of practical value both to information providers and to users.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a literature search and analysis of well‐established models of information seeking and of communication, from which a new conceptual model is constructed.Findings – Existing models have elements in common, though most models in library and information science focus on information seeking and the information user, while those from the field of communications focus on the communicator and the communication process. A new model is proposed that includes key elements of existing models and takes into account not just the information seeker but also the communicator ...

Information science: communication chain and domain analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to derive a conceptual model for information science, which is both academically sound and practically useful, particularly for curriculum design.Design/methodology/approach – The approach takes the form of a conceptual analysis, based on an extensive literature review, going back to the earliest days of information science.Findings – A conceptual model is derived, based on the study of components of the information chain through approaches of domain analysis, plus “fringe” topics and a meta‐level consideration of the discipline itself. Links to related subjects may be derived systematically from this model.Originality/value – This is the first paper to suggest that a useful model for information science can be derived, based on the idea of studying the communication chain by means of domain analysis.

Promoting literacy in a digital age: approaches to training for information literacy

Information literacy, and other similar ‘literacies’, such as digital literacy, mediacy, and informacy, are concepts relating to knowledge, skills, and attitudes, at various levels, in dealing with information in varied formats and diverse situations. The breadth of scope of these concepts implies that training must be equally broad, varied, and context‐sensitive. This is exemplified by two case studies of information and digital literacy training. The first is a training programme in information literacy for the scientific staff of a multinational pharmaceutical research organization. The second is a summer school dealing with digital literacy, primarily for information professionals from countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union.

The information‐related behaviour of emerging artists and designers: Inspiration and guidance for new practitioners

Purpose – This paper aims to report an empirical study of the information‐related behaviour of emerging artists and designers. It also aims to add to understanding of the information behaviour of the group both as practising artists (a little understood category of information users), and also as “new practitioners”.Design/methodology/approach – A literature analysis is used to guide creation of an online questionnaire, eliciting both qualitative and quantitative data. A total of 78 practising artists participated, all having graduated in the seven years prior to the survey.Findings – The group have generally the same information practices as more established artists. They place reliance on internet and social networks, while also using traditional printed tools and libraries. Browsing is important, but not a predominant means of accessing information. Inspiration is found from a very diverse and idiosyncratic set of sources, often by serendipitous means. Their status as emergent practitioners means that ...

Libraries and open society; Popper, Soros and digital information

This paper examines the role of libraries and information services, in promoting the ‘open society’ espoused by Karl Popper and George Soros. After a brief discussion of the nature of an ‘open society ’, the paper covers the role played by provision of knowledge and information, of new technology, particularly the Internet, and of critical thinking and digital literacy in the development of this form of society. Conclusions are drawn for the role of libraries and librarians, with seven general principles suggested.

Distance learning and LIS professional development

The nature of distance learning in general, and for the specific case of LIS professional development, is reviewed in the context of wider changes in the learning environment. This leads to an analysis of the kind of materials and activities which may be required to support this form of education, and to proposals for categories of activities, which are to be tested in a part distance learning multinational LIS summer school.

A strategic approach to research using Internet tools and resources

This paper describes a method for carrying out research in a multimedia environment encompassing printed, electronic and Internet based resources. The framework was used to compile a listing of toxicology information resources, as part of a larger study on the effect of new information and communication technologies on scientific communication within this field. It is likely, however, that the approach can be applied to research in any subject.

“A few exciting words”: information and entropy revisited

A review is presented of the relation between information and entropy, focusing on two main issues: the similarity of the formal definitions of physical entropy, according to statistical mechanics, and of information, according to information theory; and the possible subjectivity of entropy considered as missing information. The paper updates the 1983 analysis of Shaw and Davis. The difference in the interpretations of information given respectively by Shannon and by Wiener, significant for the information sciences, receives particular consideration. Analysis of a range of material, from literary theory to thermodynamics, is used to draw out the issues. Emphasis is placed on recourse to the original sources, and on direct quotation, to attempt to overcome some of the misunderstandings and oversimplifications that have occurred with these topics. Although it is strongly related to entropy, information is neither identical with it, nor its opposite. Information is related to order and pattern, but also to disorder and randomness. The relations between information and the “interesting complexity,” which embodies both patterns and randomness, are worthy of attention.

No such thing as society? On the individuality of information behavior

This opinion piece considers the relative importance of individual and social factors in determining information behavior. It concludes that individual factors are more central and fundamental, although they may certainly be qualified by social and cultural factors and even though there are good reasons for studying and analyzing information behavior in terms of social groups. More studies of interesting emergent factors and behaviors in social settings would be valuable.