On the Documents and Information Science
Qiu Ziheng
Taiwan University, Institute of Library and Information Science PhD
Library and Information Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, Adjunct Lecturer
Science and information science literature are concerned with the collection of human knowledge, organizing,
processing, transmission and use of the subject, together.
From the data, information, science and information science literature on the definition, the analysis of comparative literature and Information Science and differences between, and the United States Institute of Information Science and Technology (ASIST) history as the main, descriptive
information science developments in the United States, the last of the origin of information science, the relationship with other relevant disciplines, research areas and their
important theoretical schools, the collation of data can take on computer science to make a general introduction.
Next, data, information, documents and Information Science in the definition of
1, data (Data) of the definition of
Library and Information Science Dictionary: (1)
information system known to describe the facts, ideas, status, or other things, numbers, words or symbols.
Second, IT (Information) of the definition of
Farradane (Note 2) information is used to advocate any form of communication of knowledge and ideas instead of objects. ('Information' should be defined as any physical form of representation, or surrogate, of knowledge, or of a particular thought, used for communication.)
Brillouin (Note 3) that the information is raw material is data aggregation. (Information is the raw material and consists of a mere collection of data.)
Hoshovsky (Note 4)that the information is a problem and can solve the problem of information together, and the formation of productive joint set. (... Information ... is a process which occurs within a human mind when a problem and data useful for its solution are brought into productive union.)
Hayes (5)that the information is a formal deal with the results obtained from the data. (Define 'information' as the result of processing data, usually formalized processing.)
Yovits (Note 6)that the information is help to make decision-making. (Data of value in decision-making.)
Wersig (Note 7)that the information can reduce
uncertainty. (Define 'information' as reduction of uncertainty.)
Shera (Note 8)that the information is received intellectual entity, can help us build knowledge. (It is that intellectual entity which we receive, the building block of knowledge.)
MacKay (Note 9)that we never know become aware that we receive the information is. (We have received information, when we know something now that we did not know before.)
The third edition of Webster's Dictionary (Webster's third new international dictionary) defines information as knowledge of India into the memory, to understand and process. (The process by which that form of an object of knowledge is impressed upon the apprehending mind so as to bring about the state of knowing.)
On the "information" is defined, so far there is no consensus scholars view the background of different disciplines to
explore from different perspectives, information will have different interpretations. But the analysis of the above definition, we can find information they have emphasized is a meaningful information, receive information can change people's mental state, can help people make decisions and reduce uncertainty.
3, philology (Documentation) of the definition of
Library and Information Science Dictionary (10) defined philology as: as distinct from the traditional library science methods, to find better ways to collect,
organize, storage, dissemination activities, the record of human knowledge for expert use technology. (Note:
the dictionary translated as "documentation")
Shera (Note 11) that in Europe, philology is a new technology to organize, analyze themes, bibliographic description, the author notes literature, different from the traditional library work. (... An entirely new body of techniques for organization, subject analysis, bibliographic description, and annotation that differed markedly from conventional library practice. ...
Documentation referred primarily to the non-conventional library and archival techniques for the organization and analysis of documents as distinct from books.)
1938 International Federation for Documentation (IFD) as defined philology: a collection, classification and dissemination of a variety of disciplines related to
human activities in the process of the literature. (Note 12) (the assemblying, classification, distribution of documents of all sorts in all fields of human activity.)
Shera that (13) Bibliography serve all scholars; and
library services, bibliographic organization is the object of general public.
ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science that philology broad sense refers to the systematic collection,
organization, storage, retrieval and dissemination of
specific information, especially scientific and
technological information; the narrow sense, refers to the literature of the collection, storage, retrieval and spread. (14)
By the above definition, we can summarize a
"Bibliography" is different from the traditional library
science, its handling of data objects are not limited to books, usually new technology to collect, organize, storage,
retrieval and dissemination of scientific information to serve experts.
4, Computer Science (Information Science) of the definition of
Borko (Note 15) that information science is the study of information of the characteristics and behavior of the power control information flow and access to and use of the best ways of dealing with discipline information.
Its concern is the production of information, collection, organization, retrieval, interpretation, transfer, change and use of ontology. This includes natural and artificial systems in the performance of information and
effective use of symbols signaling and information processing facilities and technologies such as computers and programming system of learning.
Becker (Note .16) that the "information science" is a new subject. Everyone concerned about the information around the outbreak, but do not know how to deal with this problem. ...Information science is the study of these kinds of people how to use IT in their work and business, and research how to provide manual
operation of these businesses need the information most useful and effective methods of supply.
Wang Chongde (Note 17) that information science is the study of the characteristics and activities of
information, management information processes, and to ensure the most effective use of information
necessary for information processing technology.
Information Sciences Research areas include: the use of natural and artificial systems, provide information, using his number (character) code to conduct effective information transfer, storage and retrieval of
information processing equipment and methods. Such as computers and programming ....
China Society for Library Science (18) that the occurrence of information science information,
conversion, transfer, delivery, etc. of the theory and technology, and information retrieval systems,
information processing techniques and methods of scientific knowledge. Explore the characteristics of information science information, patterns, transmission and conversion rules, and dealing with information technology to the most convenient way to achieve the most effective application.
Wellish (19) in 1959 compared to 1971 39 the definition of information science, information science scholars have found that the definition is still no consensus.
The definition of the many, Borko the most common definition is generally accepted, but he also believes that this inconsistency in an early development of the subject matter is not the pieces of soil, because of different research directions can contribute to information science continue to grow. (20)
Two, the "Bibliography" and "information science" of relations
From the above definition, we Literature and Information Science and an initial understanding of this chapter for further analysis and differences between the two.
From Wellisch (21)study, we can organize the following table to illustrate the research "organization, organize and transmit information, for human use" the name of the evolution of the subject case:
Time / Description Name speech into 1876 (ALA set up) Library Economy
(Library management of meaning)
19thcentury Library Science
(Library Science) First appeared in Europe in1895 (IIB
was established), in the 1930s into the U.S., after the Second World War prevailed.
Documentation
(Philology, emphasizing not limited to the
processing of library materials)
1950s in the United States replaced the documentation, butdocumentation is still in Europe on behalf of the idea of information retrieval.
Information Retrieval (IR), Information Storage &
Retrieval (ISR)
(Information retrieval, information storage and retrieval)
First appeared in 1959,
After 1962, generally accepted in the United States.
Information Science
(Information Science)
It appears that the literature study in the United States can be said that the predecessor of information science;
However, in the Literature of Europe, originated in the International Bibliographic Institute (International Institute of Bibliograph, IIB) was establishedin 1895. Paul Otlet organization of this Society, is to edit the main international titles
(including books, journal articles, brochures, reports, patents, file data types, etc.) to organize the world's
literature. But bythe 1930s into the U.S., Americans shift the original emphasis on "order of human knowledge" concept into the "new technology (this means the epitome of
technology) to deal with information technology" concept.
(22)
In addition to the different ideas, the literature and
Information Science are the following differences between:
(23)
1. Bibliography earlier than the origin of information science.
2. The object of research literature is literature;
information objects of scientific research information.
3. Information science areas covered by more extensive Bibliography.
4. Bibliography of research focused on the collation of literature; the information content of scientific research ... in the information transfer chain (information transfer chain) use.
Participation, the development of information science
American Society of Information Science and Information Technology (American Society of Information Science &
Technology, ASIST) the establishment, and the United States is closely related to the development of information science, this chapter of history to try to ASIST axis shows the
evolution in the United States, Bibliography of information science into the process; even hope to understand the information science and information technology trends.
(Note 24)
1. In 1937, began in Philology
ASIST was established inMarch 13, 1937, was known as the American Philological Association (American Documentation Institute, ADI), is initiated by theWatson Davis and others set up. The Institute's main research interest in the use of the then new technology - epitome of technology, to improve the documentation in order.
2. In the 1950s, the rise of the concept of information science
To 50 years, members of the Institute's research interests are no longer limited to miniature technology, became
aware that the use of automated machines and information storage and retrieval of information technology to deal with potential.
3. The 1960s, the information explosion
60's American society faces the difficult problem of information explosion, scientists have put into the
phenomenon of information, information process and information system. Members for the reaction of the
diversity of disciplines and research the background of the expansion of the theme, ADI at January 1, 1968, officially changed its name to ASIS.
4. 1970, online information (online information) generation
70 years, the batch process into a do online processing, expensive main-frame into a mini or micro computer, these
developments prompted the beginning of each field of information technology. Then the rigid world of traditional disciplines fading, the United States, Library schools are beginning to "information" by adding the word among their department's name to reflect the changes in the content of their teaching.
5. In the 1980s, the emergence of personal computers
80 As the personal computer market, personal
computer usage throughout, so the rise of many large online database systems (such as: NLM's Grateful Med, DIALOG)and family online search services (such as: CompuServ). ASISto catch up with this trend, its Special Interest Group made an adjustment and restructuring, to reflect the information science and information technology development.
6. In the 1990s, the popularity of the Internet
90's the growing popularity of Internet, client-server (client-server) become a trend. ASISalso applied to the dissemination of its Institute www news, publishing learn publications, its members have also put in relevant research.
In addition, the response of IT to the impact of information science, and the expansion of the composition of member elements, the Institute in late 2000 by the members vote, changed its name to ASIST.
From these data we know that the United States stressed that the study of philology as a microcosm of technology to deal with literature-based data to the 50's, scholars have begun to feel its limitations, and therefore to accept the concept of IR to process information. After 60 years, the rightly concerned about a variety of information, many scholars into related research, which "information science"
term has been generally accepted at this time. U.S. general application of information technology (such as 70 years of online search, 80 personal computers, 90 network
technology), has driven people to the information science research interests.
Wantonly, information science and the origins of important theories on the nature and
Mentioned earlier in this definition of information science and the historical evolution, the following further illustrates the time of its origin, relationship with other disciplines, research areas and important theoretical schools.
First, the origin of time
The researchers believe that different people with different points of view of information science, the era began with its different definitions, the following are three more acceptable to say: (Note 25)
1. Originated in the International Institute of Bibliography (IIB) of the established - 1895
Advocates of this view of the scholars believe that the emergence of information science should standpoint of scientific literature to science originated in Europe, and therefore IIB was established in the date for the origin of information science.
2. Originated in the American Philological Association (ADI) of the established - 1937
American Society of Information Science (ASIS), published in 1988,year of the fiftieth anniversary of the Institute of Jinian Wen focus, that is, the establishment of its predecessor, ADI origin on the date for the information sciences.
3. Originated in the Bush published "As We May Think"
article - 1945
Advocates of this view of the scholars, the information originated from different scientific disciplines and activities, and should therefore trace its related disciplines classic, "As We May Think"mentioned in the "Memex" (note 26), on the later Information Science has great influence on the formation, and therefore the published literature on the origin date for the information sciences.
Second, the subject properties
In Borko (Note 27)the definition of information science, he considered that information science "is one from the
relevant disciplines such as mathematics, logic, linguistics, psychology, computer science, operations research, graphic art, communication, library science , management and other related disciplines, the extracted Integrated Science. it has elements of pure science: research topics without requiring the application; also have elements of applied science: the development of services and products. "
And Zhang Xinhua believes that the content of information science in the study, "Information behavior", "information process" and "information system" (Note 28).
The phenomenon of information, information processes and information systems are also referred to those subjects Borko research content. But the information is based on three major areas of scientific study, the level includes a separate study of other disciplines at all levels, even across the two physical and intellectual space, its an all information and research activities are directed and information related
topics; In contrast, other related subjects only a small part of the information for the study, in addition to information, the have their own unique major study. Therefore, we can say that these disciplines provide a method for information science, angle and part of the theoretical basis, but
information science has its own unique field of study itself is a new interdisciplinary discipline.
Third, research areas
Borko (Note 29) has analyzed the1966 Current Research and Development in Scientific Documentation, will be among 655 computer science related research projects are divided into nine areas, with performance information science research areas.
1. Information Needs and Uses:
Including user behavior, Citation study,
communication mode, the use of literature and so on.
2. Production and reproduction of documents:
Including computer editing, shrink film, recording and storage, writing and editing.
3. Language Analysis:
Including computer languages, natural language processing, language, psychology, semantic analysis and so on.
4. Translation:
Including machine translation, translation support and so on.
5. Summary, classification, index:
Including content analysis, automated classification, extraction and indexing, vocabulary (controlled or natural) research and so on.
6. Design:
Including the information center, information retrieval, library automation, SDI, etc..
7. Analysis and Evaluation:
Including comparative studies, the index quality, modeling, evaluation methods, translation quality and so on.
8. Pattern recognition (Pattern Recognition):
Including the image recognition processing, speech analysis and so on.
9. Adaptive Systems (Adaptive Systems):
Including artificial intelligence, questions, automatically organizing systems, etc..
While these research projects were 30 years ago, but still covers the nine areas of most of today's information science research topics, and many of the topics which have not yet a major breakthrough.
Fourth, an important theoretical
Zhang Xinhua, wrote in his book Introduction to Computer Science, have a special chapter introduces the main
theoretical schools of information science and research, it is described in the consolidated order. (30)
1. Information Theory information:
Classical information theory by Shannon andWeaver proposed that this is the first human information dissemination
activities for quantitative research and then after Gibbs, Boltzmann, Nyquist, Hartley and others efforts, to 40 late in the Wiener and Fisher's impetus, and the formal creation of up and people began to make a system of information theory.
2. Social communication of information theory:
This school of scholars believe that the main manifestations of information and processes of social communication, so from this point of view to study. The most representative of this school is Saracevic's "Information Society Communication Theory", Goffman's "information society theories of
transmission of infectious diseases", Vickery's "Man of the Social Communication Theory", Faithorn the "information flow activities in gauge theory."
3. Intelligent information process theory:
This school's academic information from human intelligence process (intellectual process) point of view to reveal the nature of information, production and use of the law. This school is the most representative of Pratt's "intention to change the intelligence test as to process theory", Hosovsky and Messay
"information process" two partners "theory", Farradane
"information smart thinking process theory", Debons "smart state process theory. "
4. Structural properties of information theory:
This school's academic information from an objective point of view the properties and structure, knowledge structure of the objective and subjective information in the world to be studied. This school is the most representative of Belkin's
"information structure theory" and the Brookes of the
"property structure of information theory."
5. Information, decision-making function theory:
This faction of individuals and groups of scholars from the perspective of decision making, research information
phenomena and the relationship between decision-making process, they use rigorous mathematical methods to
establish the IT decision-making model. Yovits representative of this school.
6. Information systems theory:
Development of System Science for the academic
community to provide new ideas and research directions, systems theory brings a new revelation of information science, some has this quality of scholars to use system theory and methods for research on information behavior.
The most representative of this school is Langlois's "theory of cybernetics System Information", Ligomenides's "theory of dissipative system information", Strong's "information theory
to adapt the system behavior", Blake's "management of the ecosystem of information theory."
V. Conclusion
If the establishment from the IIB (1895) counting,
information science Although there have been a hundred years of development, but knowledge of the system view of all mankind, it is still a relatively young discipline. Scientists thus have information on the definition of information and information scientists still no consensus on the core areas of research in this subject has not been established.
I want to quote in this Shera (31) of the paragraph, do as the article's conclusion -
... We may be overly concerned with definitions. It may be fruitless to begin with definitions, when we should simply get on with the business at hand. As we amass knowledge about the phenomenon of information and understand more the activities of the field of information science , a definition will evolve the natural processes.
Explanatory Note
1. Library and Information Science Dictionary, page 1775.
2. Farradane, J. "The nature of information" Journal of Information Science v.1 (1979), p.13.
3. Wellish, H. "From information science to informatics: a
terminological investigation" Journal of Librarianship 4:3 (July 1972), p.171.
4. Ibid note, page 172.
5. With Note 3 on page 173.
6. With Note 3, page 173.
7. With Note 3, page 174.
8. With Note 3, page 174.
9. With Note 3, page 174.
10. With Note 1, page 98.
11. Shera, JH and Cleveland, DB "History and foundations of information science" Annual Review of Information Science and Technology v.12 (1977), p.250.
12. Ibid note, page 251.
13. With Note 11, page 251.
14. ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science, (Chicago:
ALA, 1983), p. 77.
15. Borko, H. "Information science: what is it?" American Documentation 19:1 (Jan. 1968), p.3.
16. Becker, Joseph a; Li Bamboo translation, reprint, Computer Science Studies, (Hsinchu City: Maple City, China 67 years), page 13.
17. Wang Zonta, information science principles, (Taipei:
agricultural centers, people 80 years), page 14.
18. Code Library Association Publications Committee, Library Science, (New York: students, people 63 years), page 559.
19. With Note 3, page 184-186.
20. With note 15, page 5.
21. With Note 3, page159-163, 176.
22. Laiding Ming, "On the origin of information science", Library and Information Science, 32 No. 1 (1994), pp 45-46.
23. Chun-chiao, "relations between literature and Information Science of" National Taipei Teachers College Library Bulletin, No. 3 (China 84 years in February), 72.
24. ASIS Home page ( http://www.asis.org ) 25. With note 22, p. 40-49.
26. Bush, V. "As we may think" Atlantic Monthly 176:1 (July 1945), p.100-108.
27. With note 15, page 3.
28. Zhang Xinhua, Introduction to Information Science, Taiwan's first edition, (Taipei: Taiwan's business, people 80 years of), pages 2-4, 14.
29. With note 15, page 4.
30. With note 28, p. 49-256.
31. With Note 11, page 266.
