Raber, Douglas (2003) The Problem of Information: An Introduction to Information
Science. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press
Chapter One – Review Handout
To prepare well for the examination, answer all questions.
1.
Why did Robert Fairthorne grow frustrated and avoid the word information? (p. 1)
2.
Information science resolves around what three things? (p. 2)
3.
Explain Saussure’s philosophy about information as it relates to unknown “signs”
or characters such as one from the Chinese alphabet. (p. 2)
4.
Describe the complexity surround the information word, “patriotism”. (p. 3)
5.
What does the author mean when he says, “the signs autonomy can never be
absolute?” (p. 4)
6.
What is semiology and who coined the term? (p. 4)
7.
Explain the following, “Knowing that end-users and uses are important theoretical
objects for information science raises even more questions about what features
and behaviors of these objects are important and how to observe them.” (p. 5)
8.
Information is… (indicate true or false to the right of each choice): (p. 5)
a. …interdisciplinary
b. …static and never changing
c. …producing new fields of study
d. …driven by technology
9.
Tefko Saracevic provides a definition of “information science” – in your own
words explain why he believes his definition justifies information science as more
than a technological discipline. (p. 5)
10.
How do the authors of the book define the word, “text”? (p. 6)
11.
Explain Shera’s proposed discipline, “social epistemology” and identify its benefit
to society. (p. 6)
Chapter 1 Review - Handout
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Raber, Douglas (2003) The Problem of Information: An Introduction to Information
Science. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press
Chapter One – Review Handout
12.
What two perspectives might be studied in Shera’s “social epistemology”? (p. 6)
13.
Why should information science, though related to technology, be perceived as a
human (vs. technological) science? (p. 7)
14.
By analyzing the definitions of Saracevic and Shera identify, in your own words,
how the goal of information science as a discipline springboards from the job of
an information professional.
15.
For a better understanding of Shera’s views, read this one page online article:
Berry III, John N. (April 15, 2005) “Check Change with Shera”. Library Journal, v.
130 (issue 7), p 8. This article may be accessed online via the following steps:
a) Visit www.faulkner.edu
b) From the drop-down “QuickLinks” menu, select Libraries
c) From the left navigation menu, select Databases
e) Select Academic Search Premiere
f) Type in your end-user name and password [as if reading Faulkner e-mail]
g) In the Find box type: check change with Shera
h) Press Enter.
16.
“Information” is considered elusive by the author of the textbook; describe why
and explain his suggestion to cover the problem. (p. 7-8)
17.
In the process of studying information science, according to Raber, what must
“take center stage”? (p. 9)
18.
Ultimately, how is information science defined by Raber? (p. 9)
19.
Explain the parable of the elephant the blind men as it relates to the idea of
information? (p. 10)
20.
How has the multi-disciplinary approach to information helped/hindered
discipline? (p. 10-11)
21.
What fear of Saracevic’s is repeated by Raber regarding unresolved
philosophical, scientific and professional issues of information? (p. 11)
Chapter 1 Review - Handout
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Raber, Douglas (2003) The Problem of Information: An Introduction to Information
Science. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press
Chapter One – Review Handout
22.
Why is it insufficient to merely ask if information retrieval systems adequately
represent and provide access to information? (p. 12)
23.
What groups are described by Saracevic as being part of the information ecology
[also referred to as stakeholders because they have a stake in the process,
product or use of information] I would add to Saracevic’s list: policy and decisionmakers such as legislators, lobbyists and justices. (p. 12-13)
24.
Why does Raber feel that “information” can be characterized by a duality? (p. 14)
25.
What is required for an occurrence of an event to be accepted as a scientific
fact? (p. 14)
26.
What is the benefit of identifying scientific facts? (p. 15)
27.
How does the use of scientific facts and theories apply in the discipline of
information science? (p. 16-17)
28.
What phrase does Raber provide that implies lack of complete acceptance of
information science as a scientific and objective discipline? (p. 18)
29.
What are at least two theoretical realities in Information Science? (p. 19
30.
What does it mean for information to be regarded as a material object? (p. 19,
answer by deduction)
31.
What does it mean for info to be regarded as a cognitive phenomenon? (p. 19,
answer by deduction)
32.
Raber indicates that of the at least two theoretical realities of Information one is
“out there” and one is “in there”, what does he mean? Do not state his words;
explain in your own words what this indicates about information. (p. 19)
Chapter 1 Review - Handout
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Raber, Douglas (2003) The Problem of Information: An Introduction to Information
Science. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press
Chapter One – Review Handout
33.
What are the primary concerns for each of the following stakeholders (producer,
publisher, systems information analyst, and consumer) with respect to
information? (p. 19)
34.
How might differing primary concerns of stakeholders impact the philosophies
and relationships of stakeholders? (p. 19; answer by deduction)
35.
What is the “broad goal” of information according to the textbook author, Doug
Raber? (p. 20)
36.
Historically by what names has the problem of information been called and why
don’t these names adequately signify the problem? (p. 20)
37.
What is the more general term for the problem of information? (p. 22)
38.
What does the term access imply? (p. 20)
39.
Why is “access” alone inadequate as a descriptor of the problem surrounding
information? (p. 20)
40.
How is representation and relevance important factors with “access”? (p. 20, 23)
Chapter 1 Review - Handout
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