Knowledge Map of Information Science:

Issues, Principles, Implications

Chaim Zins

The study is sponsored by the Israel Science Foundation

Overview – Rationale – Methodology: Critical Delphi – Panel – Questionnaires – Researcher

The study explores the theoretical foundations of information science (IS). It is aimed at developing a comprehensive, systematic, and scientifically valid knowledge map of the information science knowledge domain, and grounding it on a solid theoretical basis.

The scientific methodology is Critical Delphi. This is a qualitative research methodology designed to facilitate critical and reflective series of in-depth structured peer discussions among experts on the various aspects of the discussed issues.

The study is composed of three successive rounds of structured, comprehensive, and lengthy (10+ pages each) questionnaires that I will send to the panel via email. Most of the questions are open. Each participant will decide what questions to answer, based on his/her field/s of expertise.

The study’s objective is to reach consensus among the participants or to sharpen disagreements. To neutralize biases, I will cite the responses anonymously during the study. However, I will reveal the names of the cited participants and resources in future publications.

The international panel will include more than 40 leading scholars in the field of IS. Each panel member should (1) be an expert and (2) be a scholar in the field of IS; and (3) hold a doctorate in IS, or have refereed publications in IS.

The study will map the IS research and theoretical foci as perceived by the prominent members of the IS academic community who will participate in the panel.

Among the various issues that the panel will discuss are the following.

(1) The conception/s of IS;

(2) The interrelations of IS and related fields (e.g., library science, and computer science);

(3) The classification of IS knowledge domain into its key facets;

(4) The disciplines that establish the theoretical foundations of IS (e.g., anthropology, communication, computer science, economics, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy (epistemology, ethics, logic, and philosophy of science), psychology, and sociology);

(5) Taxonomies of IS research methodologies;

(6) Taxonomies of information resources, media, and information technologies;

(7) Taxonomies of information environments, and information organizations;

(8) Taxonomies of users; and

(9) Taxonomies of search strategies, methods, and tactics.

Rationale

The research project seeks to explore the boundaries and the basics of information science. In particular, it aims to
(1) clarify the different conceptions of "information science", 2) develop a comprehensive, systematic and scientifically valid knowledge map of the information science knowledge domain, and (3) ground it on a solid theoretical basis.

It is plausible that the project will result in several conceptions of the field, hence several knowledge maps; all of these will then be systematic, comprehensive, and scientifically valid, and grounded on a solid theoretical basis.

The study’s overall significance derives from the full substantiation it is expected to offer for the theoretical foundations of information science. This is amplified further by the fact that this contribution to the meta-knowledge of information science is not only systematic, comprehensive and theoretical in nature, but has its validity grounded in scientific methodology. This, of course, holds also for the model the project is expected to yield.

Owing to the participation of leading members of the academic and professional information science community, who work in diversified cultural milieus, and represent (almost) all the relevant sub-fields, the study will portray an 'anthropological' profile of information science. This contribution will best be evaluated in an historical perspective, in ~~the~~ light of future repetitions of this study in twenty, fifty, or one hundred years. This study is also expected to set an agenda for information science meta-knowledge research.

Finally, this study will make a practical contribution to information science education as it is expected to create a powerful tool for planning and evaluating academic programs and professional training. The model moreover can be used for developing introductory courses, compiling reading lists, developing bibliographic resources, and improving information retrieval.

Methodology: Critical Delphi

The research methodology is Critical Delphi. This is a critical implementation of the Delphi methodology, a well-known scientific research methodology used in social science research, including information science research. It is a qualitative scientific methodology designed to facilitate critical and reflective in-depth structured peer discussions among experts on the various aspects of the discussed issue, while confronting their own biases and misjudgments.

The study will be composed of three successive rounds of structured questionnaires that I will send to the panel via email. The second and the third questionnaires will be formulated based on analysis of the participants’ responses in previous rounds. The study objective is to reach consensus among the participants or to sharpen disagreements.

To neutralize group pressures and biases, while confronting peer debates and controversies, I will cite the responses anonymously during the study. Note, however, that I will reveal the names of the cited participants and resources in future publications.

In the final stage, I will develop and evaluate a knowledge map of Information Science. The evaluation will be done by classifying IS basic concepts that will be suggested by the panel.

Throughout the study, I will interview participating scholars via email or in face-to-face meetings in order to clarify ambiguities in their responses.

Panel

The panel will be composed of more than 40 leading members of the international IS community.

Note that the panel selection is crucial and requires that the following issues be addressed:

(1) What are the key relevant perspectives (e.g., field of expertise, cultural milieu, academic and professional milieu, etc.).

(2) Who is an expert (e.g., academics vs. practitioners; if a doctoral degree required etc.).

The panel will reflect on these issues. I will take into consideration the panel's comments.

Currently there are three criteria for the panel selection. Each panel member should

(1) be an expert in the field of IS;

(2) be a scholar (i.e., an intensive learner) in the field of IS; and

(3) hold a doctorate (PhD or equivalent) in IS, or have refereed publications in IS (i.e., refereed contributions to IS theory and scientific knowledge base).

Questionnaires

The three questionnaires will be structured, comprehensive, and lengthy (10+ pages each). Most of the questions are open, and the panel members will be asked to explain their responses. Note, however, that each participant will decide what questions to answer, based on his/her field/s of expertise. The second and the third questionnaires will be formulated based on analysis of the participants’ responses in previous rounds. The study objective is to reach consensus among the participants or to sharpen disagreements.

Among the various issues that will be studied are the following.

(1) The conception/s of IS;

(2) The interrelations of IS and related fields (e.g., library science, and computer science);

(3) The classification of IS knowledge domain into its key facets;

(5) Taxonomies of IS research methodologies;

(6) Taxonomies of information resources, media, and information technologies;

(7) Taxonomies of information environments, and information organizations;

(8) Taxonomies of users;

(9) Taxonomies of search strategies, methods, and tactics.

Researcher

Chaim Zins, PhD

Chaim Zins is an information scientist.

Homepage (at the University of Haifa)

Success: Structured Search Strategy

Contact

Tel/Fax: 972-2-5816705