Various Definitions of Information Science – Current views
SCHOOLS/UNIVERSITIES
(some definitions are found in the description of mission of the program)
University of Alabama
www.slis.ua.edu
The School of Library and Information Studies develops creative and critical thinkers and
leaders for the information world through a supportive teaching and learning
environment, collaborative research, and community engagement.
University of Albany, College of Computing and Technology
http://www.albany.edu/informationstudies/ist_faq.php
Information science is concerned with the origination, representation, organization,
retrieval and utilization of information. Entailing a much broader focus than the
traditional combined study of computer programming and higher mathematics, the
program encompasses the humanistic, cognitive, and management aspects of information
science.
University of Arizona
http://sirls.arizona.edu
The Library and Information Science disciplines (LIS) and interdisciplinary perspectives
relevant to knowledge and information resources comprise the intellectual foundations of
the school. The curriculum reflects the diversity of library and information environments
in which students will eventually work, the populations they serve, and the disciplines of
library and information science augmented by an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge
and information.
University of California/Los Angeles
http://is.gseis.ucla.edu/
Skills to manage digital collections in a fast-changing environment. In particular those
information scientists working in non-library environments may work in data mining,
database creation and training, website development, etc.
University of Denver / Morgridge College of Education
http://www.du.edu/education/programs/lis/
Cultivating the knowledge and skills needed to prepare students to develop, implement,
and evaluate information technologies, manage and evaluate information effectively, to
take leadership roles in information settings, to effectively manage organizational and
technological change, and to assist diverse information users in effectively accessing and
utilizing information for personal, public and organizational decision making and
problem solving.
Catholic University of American (DC) / The School of Arts and Sciences
http://slis.cua.edu
Strong grounding in the theory and practice of the LIS field, engagement with the rich
cultural and human resources of the Washington metropolitan area, and the creative use
Various Definitions of Information Science – Current views
of information technology.
Florida State University School of Information
http://slis.fsu.edu
FSU School of information MSLIS is engaged in critical examination of the relationships
among people, information and technology in an era of explosive growth in digital
information.
MSIT focus on information architecture, information quality assurance, usability, IT
governance, information systems management, IT project management, user experience
design, IT documentation/technical writing and communication, distributed information
systems, data management, and mobile information systems. The degree provides
expertise in information technology, individual and organizational behavior, and
information management targeted to developing the IT skills needed to work effectively
within information provision environments.
University of South Florida School of Information
http://si.usf.edu
To prepare students for careers and leadership roles in a complex, culturally diverse, and
technological society. Focus on humans as central to information systems, services, and
technology and on the critical role of understanding how people interact with information
in myriad forms.
Valdosta State University, Georgia
www.valdosta.edu/mlis/
Provide a quality publicly supported education for generalists and specialists in the
library and information science fields. Its primary focus is to educate librarians for
academic, public, and special libraries in Georgia. The core curriculum is designed to
give expertise in four major areas: Administration, resources for clients, services in the
knowledge society and technical knowledge.
University of Hawaii
www.hawaii.edu/lis
In 1995, a merger with the Department of Information and Computer Sciences (CS)
signaled a new era for the Program. As part of the ICS Department, the LIS program is
strategically positioned for faculty and students to engage in innovative research and
entrepreneurial ventures with Computer Science colleagues. The merger also holds
exciting promise for new programs integrating skills in information and computer
sciences that will allow our graduates to compete successfully in the evolving job
marketplace.
University of Illinois/Urbana-Champaign
www.lis.illinois.edu/
Leads the way in understanding the use of information in science, culture, society,
commerce, and the diverse activities of our daily lives.
University of Iowa
Various Definitions of Information Science – Current views
http://slis.grad.uiowa.edu/
Focus on Informatics. Work in the contexts of issues such as information and
communication technology, public and private information policy, managerial policy, and
regional, national, and international economics.
Emporia State University, KS
http://slim.emporia.edu
Core theory course, information organization, and application courses on information
transfer, global information infrastructure, management, and technology.
University of Maryland
http://ischool.umd.edu/
Provides a comprehensive foundation in research and practice in library and information
science (LIS). MLS instructors apply the insights developed in scholarly research, as well
as practical experience, to enhance the quality and scope of services in a variety of
information settings. The program provides a comprehensive foundation for professional
careers in libraries, information centers, archives, and other agencies engaged in
information activities.
University of Michigan
Meet the rapidly growing information-management needs of an increasingly
interconnected world. As businesses and society grapple with the challenges and
opportunities of the digital age, information professionals play a crucial role in analyzing,
systematizing, and evaluating the massive resources generated by the digital revolution.
At Michigan, we train students to be leaders and agents of change in a field that is
evolving at unprecedented speed.
Wayne State University
www.slis.wayne.edu/
Emphasizes the practical application of knowledge and skills, we educate students in the
core principles of information management - access, organization, services and support as well as emerging fields such as digital collections, competitive intelligence,
information architecture and data analytics
St. Catherine University
www.stkate.edu/academic/mlis/
Educates students in the principles, practices, and ethics of library and information
science
University of Michigan
http://open.umich.edu/education/si/si110/winter2009
It is the foundation for an economic and social transformation on a scale comparable to
the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century. As a culture we have learned from
earlier such transformations and it is important to recognize those lessons and chart a path
toward intellectual and practical mastery of the emerging world of information.
Various Definitions of Information Science – Current views
University of Southern Mississippi
www.usm.edu/slis
Prepare qualified individuals for professional roles in libraries and other information
environments with appropriate knowledge and skills to serve the information needs of
their communities. Follow ALA core standards
Rutgers, State University of New Jersey
http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/library-and-information-science/library-and-informationscience-department.html
Integrate theory seamlessly with today’s technologies, featuring key specializations that
will give students expertise crucial to career.
Long Island University
www.liu.edu/palmer
Prepare students for careers in the digital world and help skillfully harness the way
information is preserved, valued and delivered to every facet of society.
Pratt University
http://www.pratt.edu/academics/%20information_and_library_sciences/
Foster creativity and innovation for the digital world—our cutting-edge seminar/lab
classrooms designed for participatory hands-on learning experiences inspire students to
be high academic achievers and to be leaders in the LIS field.
University of North Caroline at Greensboro
http://lis.uncg.edu/academic-programs/course-information/
Students learn to design user-centered services, work toward equitable access to
information services, and to value diversity. Faculty conduct theoretical, historical, and
action research, applying diverse methodologies and methods, guiding our students in
independent study, and engaging with the community to find library and information
solutions.
University of Oklahoma
www.ou.edu/cas/slis
The mission of the SLIS is to provide excellence in education, preparing leaders for a
diverse, highly technological, information-based global society; to engage in research and
creative activities that generate new knowledge and applications for effective practice
and that foster interdisciplinary approaches to address information challenges; and to
meet the complex information needs of society through public and professional service.
Clarion University of Penn.
http://www.clarion.edu/1095/
Prepare students contribute to librarianship or a related field in the global digital
information environment.
Various Definitions of Information Science – Current views
University of South Carolina, Undergraduate program
http://sils.unc.edu/programs/undergraduate
Prepare graduates for a variety of careers in the information industry, including
information architecture; database design and implementation; Web design and
implementation; networking support and information consulting; as well as for graduate
study. Information science is one of the fastest growing fields in the nation. It combines
working with people, designing technology and developing information content. When
you think of information science, think Twitter, Facebook, Web design, database design,
online communities, Internet searches and much more that connect people with content
and technology.
University of Washington
https://ischool.uw.edu/academics/mlis/what-is-library-science
What is Library & Information Science? Library and Information Science (LIS) is a
profession that is full of people passionate about making a positive change to the world
around them, and they tend to be wildly happy about what they do. According to one
recent survey, over 85% of information professionals questioned said if they had the
choice, they’d do it again. Information professionals and librarians in particular are in a
unique position to bridge the gaps that exist between people, information and technology.
In their professional lives, information professionals work to:
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Help scholars locate archival and other resources crucial to their work
Design and develop knowledge-organization systems that allow organizations to
more easily find and use resources developed by their members
Help doctors more quickly locate health information in critical situations
Create reader’s advisory resources to encourage young students to develop a
lifelong love of reading and learning
Identify sources of assistance in family and personal crises
University of Otago, New Zealand
http://infosci.otago.ac.nz/what-is-information-science/
Information Science sits at the intersection of technology, people, and organizations. It is
a distinct discipline and has a focus on Information and Communication Technologies
(ICT) used by people to manage information within organizations. The study of
information usage covers activities such as information collection, processing, storage
and retrieval, presentation, and communication of information. It encompasses the study
of the organizational contexts in which information is used, and of information systems
that support information usage. A rapidly changing field that is driven by technology,
organizations or business needs with a greater demand for more "intelligent" information
systems. (Note: this has been condensed by AWeigle. Link takes you to complete writeup)
Columbia School of General Studies
https://gs.columbia.edu/major-title?majorid=1833
Information science major is an interdisciplinary major designed to provide a student
Various Definitions of Information Science – Current views
with an understanding of how information is organized, accessed, stored, distributed, and
processed in strategic segments of today’s society.
Elon University, Elon, NC
http://www.elon.edu/eweb/academics/elon_college/computing_sciences/curriculum/is.xhtml
The information science discipline centers on using technology to solve a wide-range of
complex problems that involve capturing, analyzing, visualizing, and managing large sets
of data. Every day more than 15 petabytes (15 quadrillion bytes) of data are generated
around the world. Information scientists are concerned with creating intelligence from
the data that can be used to solve complex problems like mapping the shrinking polar ice
sheets, tracking the spread of infectious disease, understanding customer buying patterns,
and helping people manage their health. Link to Elon’s Information Science Fact Sheet
(http://www.elon.edu/e-web/admissions/majorsheets/ISC.xhtml)
College of Science and Technology, Temple University
http://www.temple.edu/cis/prospective/whatisist.html
Students in Information Science and Technology (IS&T) face a variety of exciting
challenges that require more than an understanding of computing. IS&T students solve
problems in many disciplines, including mathematics, education, biotechnology, medical
and dental informatics, economics, finance, engineering, linguistics, and psychology,
among others. In order to create solutions in any of these fields, the successful IS&T
graduate must be able to integrate sophisticated computer knowledge, have an
understanding of the applications in the discipline, and possess excellent communication
skills. When working in this fast paced field, one must be able to learn new ideas quickly
and adapt to ever-changing conditions in order to satisfy users’ needs. The IST program
emphasizes computing applications with a strong foundation in all computing
technologies. Emphasis is on the development of applications software and the
underlying technologies that support this development. The program builds a strong
knowledge base and skills in key foundational areas, including databases, web-based
technologies, client-server computing, networking, security, multimedia, and project
management. The program is targeted to those students who have a strong interest in the
applications of computer technology. Students with this background knowledge are very
well positioned for using their.
WEBSITES
Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_science)
Information science (or information studies) is an interdisciplinary field primarily
concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retreival,
movement, and dissemination of information. (Cite: Stock, W.G., & Stock, M. (2013).
Handbook of Information Science. Berlin, Boston, MA: De Gruyter Saur)
ODLIS: Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science by Joan M. Reitz.
http://www.abc-clio.com/ODLIS/odlis_i.aspx
Various Definitions of Information Science – Current views
The systematic study and analysis of the sources, development, collection, organization,
dissemination, evaluation, use, and management of information in all its forms, including
the channels (formal and informal) and technology used in its communication.
WiseGEEK
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-information-science.htm
Information science is a term that refers to interdisciplinary research. This science
involves the collection, analysis, and categorization of various types of information as
well as the storage and retrieval of it. This type of science also involves the dispersing,
use, and management of information. Sometimes people think of information science as a
computer science category. Information science, however, actually includes some parts of
computer science under its umbrella as well as a range of fields that span from archival
science and law to library science and mathematics. When a person studies information
science, he attempts to gain more knowledge and a better understanding of problems
people and companies face in collecting, storing, analyzing, retrieving, and using
information. This field of science also involves using technology and developing systems
to deal with such problems. For example, an information scientist may design and
implement database systems for the collection, storage, and retrieval of information.
Academic Room
http://www.academicroom.com/topics/what-is-information-science
(Note: A quick historic overview)
Michael Buckland (2011) wrote an article What Kind of Science Can Information
Science Be? from the perspective of Library and information science: "other important
fields have also used the name “information science.” One is computer science,
concerned with the theory and application of algorithms. Another, concerned with
entropy, probability, Shannon-Weaver information theory, physical patterns (in-forming), and related topics, is sometimes referred to as the “physics of information.” Also,
the word information is, of course, used in information technology (IT, also ICT, for
information and communication technologies), but largely restricted in practice to the use
of electronics for communication and computation. These other areas are not considered
here. Instead, we are concerned with those areas generally understood as being within the
scope of library and information science (LIS) and the interests of the American Society
for Information Science and Technology."
Business Dictionary
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/information-science.html
Body of Knowledge that provides theoretical basis for information technology and
includes subjects such as computer science, library science, artificial intelligence,
mathematics of programming, and theory of problem solving.
An Interview with Bob Boiko
http://www.onlineitdegree.net/an-interview-with-bob-boiko/
Bob Boiko has been a professor of information science for 10 years. He teaches at
University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.
Various Definitions of Information Science – Current views
Information science is the study of the web and all other technologies for communicating
with people. It is rapidly growing and changing field that shapes the way we
communicate to each other across the world.
POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS OF INTEREST
Indianan University at Bloomington
http://ils.indiana.edu/
A link to What is Information Science take you to a ppt presentation to the concepts and
practices to Human Computer Interaction
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&ved=0CDgQ
FjACOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fils.indiana.edu%2Ffaculty%2Fhrosenba%2Fwww%2F
S510%2Fclasses%2Fhci_practice%2Fhci_practice.pptx&ei=DK0pUPwMOX4yQGx4YGIDg&usg=AFQjCNEXgCtuvhqAc0OiMEdv98UPgrlBTA&sig2=rb
Q16q91bGsgIhx8SBADAw&bvm=bv.62922401,d.aWc&cad=rjt
University of Buffalo
http://gse.buffalo.edu/lis
What is Information Science is defines through a PPT presentation titled “Information
Technology, Informatics, & Information Science.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=17&ved=0CFwQ
FjAGOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acsu.buffalo.edu%2F~byerly%2FInformation%
2520Technology.ppt&ei=DK0pU-PwMOX4yQGx4YGIDg&usg=AFQjCNE_Ri2wKU0QhufsesuJSu2bt_NJQ&sig2=rTvsh6tT4WHY5BAQhCAuyw&bvm=bv.62922401,d.
aWc&cad=rjt
YOUTUBE
What is Information Science?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giaq1MiDEUE
This video describes the undergraduate major, information science, at the School of
Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina. It features
interviews with the director of the school, Dr. Sam Hastings; faculty members, Dr. Ron
Brown, Dr. Paul Solomon, Dr. Elise Lewis, and students, Mandy Hawkins and Austa
Joye. Video time: 3:53. These are definitions given by faculty at USC. The number is
the brackets identity the place/time in the video:
Ron Brown, Associate Professor [1:10] “Information Science is the study of
information in all of its forms and in all of its context. You have social context you have
organization context.”
Paul Solomon, Associate Professor [1:20] “The one thing that I think information
science attends to in that mix more than anything is trying to fit together the content, the
information, and the technology to help people do what they want to do.”
Various Definitions of Information Science – Current views
Elise Lewis, Instructor [1:38] “Information Science is a field that deals with information.
Whether it’s creation, dissemination, organization, preservation, digitization. Anything
that involves information, we touch on in the field of informaton science.”