Information science and information systems: Conjunct subjects disjunct disciplines

Abstract

The relationship between information science and information systems (IS) research is examined through analysis of the subject literature of each field and by citation and co-citation analysis of highly cited researchers in each field. The subfields of user studies (US) and information retrieval (IR) research were selected to represent information science research as these subject areas are central to information science and seemed also to represent areas in which there was most overlap of interest or subject matter. The two forms of analysis revealed that although there seemed considerable overlap or potential for overlap in research subjects that there was almost none in relation to the disciplinary fields as assessed by the co-citation analysis of the most highly cited authors in the three subject areas. An examination of the reasons for this is offered in relation to the nature of scientific disciplines, the socialization process of researchers in the different fields and with institutional pressures.A discipline which investigates the characteristics of information and the nature of the information transfer process, whilst not losing sight of the practical aspects of collecting, collating and evaluating information and organizing its dissemination through appropriate intellectual apparatus and technology.

Conceptualizing information, technology, and people: Comparing information science and information systems literatures

“…They further noted that scholars pursue these seemingly shared interests by studying different domains in different ways and publish their work in different venues with little interaction or cross‐citation. Here, we extend the work of Ellis et al (1999) by providing additional empirical evidence to support our claim that the two areas of scholarship recognize and pursue theories, methods, and findings that focus on the importance and nature of people's needs and uses of information, and the features and impacts of ICT to meet these needs and uses.…”

“…Like information science, the information systems discipline is characterized as multidisciplinary and pluralistic in its approaches (Checkland & Holwell, 1998; Ellis et al, 1999; Fitzgerald & Adam, 1996). Davis (2000) noted that “… the information system of an organization consists of the information technology infrastructure, application systems, and personnel that employ information technology to deliver information and communication services for transaction processing/operations and administration/management of an organization” (p. 67).…”

“…In information science, Ellis, Allen, and Wilson (1999) noted that scholars in information science and information systems have “a considerable potential common research interest” (p. 1096). They further noted that scholars pursue these seemingly shared interests by studying different domains in different ways and publish their work in different venues with little interaction or cross‐citation.…”

Working with activity theory: Context, technology, and information behavior

“…They include an array of interactions with formal sources of information such as library collections, written documents, or information systems as well as interactions with informal sources such as conversations and observations (Case, 2006). Therefore, the concept of information behavior is not limited to scenarios when the intention of the information recipient is to implement the new information in immediate action or to otherwise employ it in practice; rather it includes situations of nonconsequential passive reception of information (Wilson, 2000). However, Savolainen (2007) argued that the team information behavior is largely used by researchers in an unreflective manner.…”

“…It is perhaps telling that the links between the information science and research community that serves systems developers is also weak. Ellis, Allen, and Wilson (1999) and Sawyer and Huang (2007) note that the research communities of information science and information system also remain fragmented with little cross‐fertilization of ideas or communication. Järvelin and Ingwersen (2004, Goals of Information Seeking Section, para.…”