Information Science Theory Research Articles

To Borrow or Not to Borrow is the Question? Theory Borrowing in Library Information Science Postgraduate Research in Nigeria and South Africa

Researchers rely on theory to explain social reality. The theories may be disciplined-based or borrowed from others as a result of the absence of discipline-based theories. The purpose of the study was to determine the use of theory in postgraduate library and information science (LIS) research in Nigeria and South Africa in order to establish the extent of theory borrowing. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze 400 postgraduate research outputs. The study showed that postgraduate researchers mainly use borrowed theories. The theories were mostly borrowed from sociology, management and psychology. Despite implications for the maturity of discipline that does not undermine LIS as a discipline, the need for theory development in the discipline cannot be overemphasized. The study contributes to the understanding of theory use and borrowing in LIS postgraduate research.

Representing Complex Evolving Spatial Networks: Geographic Network Automata

Many real-world spatial systems can be conceptualized as networks. In these conceptualizations, nodes and links represent system components and their interactions, respectively. Traditional network analysis applies graph theory measures to static network datasets. However, recent interest lies in the representation and analysis of evolving networks. Existing network automata approaches simulate evolving network structures, but do not consider the representation of evolving networks embedded in geographic space nor integrating actual geospatial data. Therefore, the objective of this study is to integrate network automata with geographic information systems (GIS) to develop a novel modelling framework, Geographic Network Automata (GNA), for representing and analyzing complex dynamic spatial systems as evolving geospatial networks. The GNA framework is implemented and presented for two case studies including a spatial network representation of (1) Conway’s Game of Life model and (2) Schelling’s model of segregation. The simulated evolving spatial network structures are measured using graph theory. Obtained results demonstrate that the integration of concepts from geographic information science, complex systems, and network theory offers new means to represent and analyze complex spatial systems. The presented GNA modelling framework is both general and flexible, useful for modelling a variety of real geospatial phenomena and characterizing and exploring network structure, dynamics, and evolution of real spatial systems. The proposed GNA modelling framework fits within the larger framework of geographic automata systems (GAS) alongside cellular automata and agent-based modelling.

Shadow bodies and information sharing: analysing obstacles in mental health care provision

Introduction. In the context of mental health, obtaining adequate care requires accurate information sharing across diverse actors, institutions and technologies. Yet, information sharing is often complicated by the vast range of institutional structures involved, creating multiple constraints for both providers and care-seekers. Method. This study seeks to analyse these obstacles to information sharing through an exploration of provider experiences within a local mental health care system. We conducted sixteen semi-structured interviews with mental health care providers in Philadelphia, USA in order to provide a localized portrait of obstacles to information sharing related to mental health care. Analysis. Conceptually, we expand on Balka and Star’s (2016) framework of individuals’ shadow bodies to understand how information is shared and fractured within the scope of mental health. Results. We outline three dimensions of (or obstacles to) information sharing: physical spaces, inter-institutional referrals, and the influence of external institutions. Together, these factors decontextualise and scatter information in a way that complicates the provision and quality of care. Conclusion. Our paper concludes with a discussion of how our findings can inform information science theory, the design of health data systems and policy related to personal health information.

Visual Exploration Research in the Field of Library and Information Based on Co-occurrence Analysis

Towards current modern society, our country’s library and information science is not only rapid development, but it also has won the favor of many researchers in more than a decade of development. Due to new technology elements and methods are widely used in the discipline of library and information science, cause society our country’s library and information science has entered a new stage with the development of information industry. This paper is based on the research theory of co-occurrence analysis, clustering co-occurrence analysis of references, social network co-occurrence analysis from researchers and research institutions of the field of library and information science, to have more precise and in depth research on the research focus of the library and information science, the authors themselves and the research institutions circumstances over the past few years. At the same time, the theory is used to analyze the effects and analysis of accurate data, to ensure that researchers can analyze the theory of library and information science for a long time.

Concept theory in library and information science: an epistemological analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the literature on concept theory in library and information science (LIS) from an epistemological perspective, ascribing each paper to an epistemological family and discussing their relevance in the context of the knowledge organization (KO) domain.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a hermeneutic approach for the analysis of the texts that compose the corpus of study following contingency and categorical analyses. More specifically, the paper works with Bardin’s contingency analysis and follows Hjørland’s families of epistemologies for the categorization.FindingsThe analysis corroborates the observations made for the last ten years about the scarcity of studies on concept theory in LIS and KO. However, the study also reveals an epistemological turn on concept theory since 2009 that could be considered a departure from the rationalist views that dominated the field and a continuation of a broader paradigm shift in LIS and KO. All analyzed papers except two follow pragmatist or historicist approaches.Originality/valueThis paper follows-up and systematizes the contributions to the LIS and KO fields on concept theory mainly during the last decade. The epistemological analysis reveals the dominant views in this paradigm shift and the main authors and trends that are present in the LIS literature on concept theory.

Numerical analysis of an information propagation model

In recent years, information science theory has increasingly highlighted its important influence in the academia, and the numerical analysis method of information dissemination model has achieved rapid development. In this scenario, firstly, this study establishes an information dissemination model based on the classical information theory. Secondly, based on the system stability criterion in the control theory, the basic regeneration number of the model is derived. Thirdly, combined with the classical numerical analysis theory such as Runge-Kutta method, the numerical analysis of the established information propagation model is carried out. The proposed numerical analysis method shed important light on expanding the information science theory.

Eugene Garfield’s Ideas and Legacy and Their Impact on the Culture of Research

Eugene Garfield advanced the theory and practice of information science and envisioned information systems that made the discovery of scientific information much more efficient. The Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), which he founded in Philadelphia in 1960, developed innovative information products that have revolutionized science. ISI provided current scientific information to researchers all over the world by publishing the table of contents of key scientific journals in the journal Current Contents (CC). Garfield introduced the citation as a qualitative measure of academic impact and propelled the concepts of “citation indexing” and “citation linking”, paving the way for today’s search engines. He created the Science Citation Index (SCI), which raised awareness about citations; triggered the development of new disciplines (scientometrics, infometrics, webometrics); and became the foundation for building new important products such as Web of Science. The journal impact factor (IF), originally designed to select journals for the SCI, became the most widely accepted tool for measuring academic impact. Garfield actively promoted English as the international language of science and became a powerful force in the globalization of research. His ideas changed how researchers gather scientific information, communicate their findings, and advance their careers. This article looks at the impact of Garfield’s ideas and legacy on the culture of research.

EFMI

The European Federation for Medical Informatics Association (EFMI) is the leading organization in medical informatics in Europe. All European countries are entitled to be represented in EFMI by a suitable Medical Informatics Society. The term medical informatics is used to include the whole spectrum of Health Informatics and all disciplines concerned with Health Informatics. EFMI is organized as a non-profit organization concerned with the theory and practice of Information Science and Technology within Health and Health Science in a European context. The objectives when founded in 1976 are still guiding

Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information's scholarly journal publishing: A case study

Key points The relationship between the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) and Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice (JISTaP) enables both to benefit from the other. KISTI is able to test new systems with its own journal, JISTaP. JISTaP benefits from both financial and technical support of its parent, although this can restrict its ability to make changes and use alternative technologies.

Documentation and Information Science: On Some Forgotten Origins of the French Contribution

PURPOSE/THESIS: This paper presents a review of the French contribution to the epistemology and theory of documentation and information science. It is focused on the authors, theories, and practices that have been neglected, or forgotten by French information specialists. An attempt was made to assess their contribution and influence on information science and the theory of the document. APPROACH/METHODS: The author focused on the analysis of the literature either printed or available as online texts, and proceedings of the ISKO-France conference held in Paris in 2017. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The review of the French contribution to the epistemology and theory of documentation and information science is carried out according to a triple chronological perspective. The first one goes back in time, as far as the contribution to the development of knowledge organization methods and theories of Enlightenment French philosophers’ and Gabriel Naudé. The second period covers relatively recent history, from the nineteenth to the twentieth century with the birth of the francophone document theoreticians such as the philosopher Auguste Comte and his Broad System of Ordering, and later Suzanne Briet’s view of a document as something (potentially anything) made into a document, offering the view that the word “document” should be used in a technical sense within information science to denote anything regarded as signifying something. The third period is represented by the thriving activities of what we call in France the forerunners among whom I have focused on the specific position of Eric De Grolier for his role in defining and expanding Ranganathan’s categories as well as that of Jean-Claude Gardin, their contribution and their impact on information science with a special focus on knowledge organization. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The theme of the 4th International Scientific Conference on Information Science in the Age of Change: Innovative Information Services from which this paper is derived implies that speakers would give a state of the art on Innovative Information Service. However, I would like to suggest that talking about the European tradition of information science underpinning the innovation in information services would be worthwhile. It is because this tradition played a central role in developing the connection between modernism and information science, especially in relation to schemes for bibliography and documentation that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century. The impact of the French tradition and its modernism in documentation and information theory is tremendous, but I chose only a few of these authors, mostly those understudied, because I find it surprising that there is so little reference to them in more recent work.

Libraries and Museums as Cultural and Scientific Centers: “Rumyantsev Readings — 2018”

24—25 April 2018 the Russian State Library (RSL) held the International Scientific-Practical Conference “Rumyantsev Readings — 2018. Libraries and Museums as Cultural and Scientific Centers: Historical Retrospective and Look into the Future. To the 190th anniversary of the RumyantsevMuseum”. Three hundred eighty five specialists fromRussia, Azerbaijan Belarus,Kazakhstan,LithuaniaandUkraineattended the conference. During online broadcasting of Plenary Session and one of the Sections there were registered 692 connections. In addition to the main topic stated in the title, the Conference traditionally deals with a wide range of issues on theory and practice of library and information science, bibliography science, bibliology, history of public holdings and private collections, and current activities of modern libraries. The following sections worked at the “Rumyantsev Readings” Conference: “Libraries and Publishers: Ways of Cooperation”, “Library Classification Systems”, “Specialized Documents (Maps, Printed Music, Sound Recordings, Newspapers, Dissertations, etc.) in Library Collections”, “Archaeographic and Historiographic Aspects in Study of Manuscripts”, “Manuscript Sources in Library Collections”, “Rare and Valuable Books, Book Monuments and Collections”, “Collectors, Researchers and Custodians. Libraries and Museums in the Context of History”, “Effective Management in Library: Problems and Solutions (Pre-Session Meeting of the 32nd Section of the Russian Library Association on Library Management and Marketing)”, “Electronic Information Resources”, “Theory and Practice of Librarianship Development at the Present Stage”, “Bibliography and Information — Bibliographic Services”. The following Round tables took place at the Conference: “Public Centers of Legal Information of Libraries as Centers of Formation of Information and Legal Culture of Citizens: the 20th Anniversary of the Formation of Public Centers of Legal Information in Russia”, “Library in Preservation and Development of Historical and Cultural Heritage of the CIS Countries”, “Standardi- zation in the Field of Library — Information Services: Discussion of Draft Standard”, as well as the Seminar “Science in Library: Content, Organization and Presentation of Results”, from the series “The Role of Science in the Development of Libraries: Theoretical and Practical Aspects”. Traditional annual conference of the Russian State Library is one of the largest scientific-practical events of the library life in our country and can rightfully claim the international status. The number of participants from year to year demonstrates interest of researchers from various scientific and cultural insti- tutions and practical experts of librarianship to the issues raised at the Conference and the need for such events. “Rumyantsev Readings —2018”helped to draw attention to the problems of operation of libraries at the present historical stage, to the search for innovative development ways, expansion of cooperation between institutions of culture, education, science and intercultural interaction, preservation and study of the world cultural heritage and national values, intensification of scientific research on a wide range of issues of bibliology and library and information science.

Mentefacts as a missing level in theory of information science

PurposeThe current debate between two theoretical approaches in library and information science and knowledge organization (KO), the cognitive one and the sociological one, is addressed in view of their possible integration in a more general model. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachPersonal knowledge of individual users, as focused in the cognitive approach, and social production and use of knowledge, as focused in the sociological approach, are reconnected to the theory of levels of reality, particularly in the versions of Nicolai Hartmann and Karl R. Popper (three worlds). The notions of artefact and mentefact, as proposed in anthropological literature and applied in some KO systems, are also examined as further contributions to the generalized framework. Some criticisms to these models are reviewed and discussed.FindingsBoth the cognitive approach and the sociological approach, if taken in isolation, prove to be cases of philosophical monism as they emphasize a single level over the others. On the other hand, each of them can be considered as a component of a pluralist ontology and epistemology, where individual minds and social communities are but two successive levels in knowledge production and use, and are followed by a further level of “objectivated spirit”; this can in turn be analyzed into artefacts and mentefacts. While all these levels are relevant to information science, mentefacts and their properties are its most peculiar objects of study, which make it distinct from such other disciplines as psychology and sociology.Originality/valueThis analysis shows how existing approaches can benefit from additional notions contributed by levels theory, to develop more complete and accurate models of information and knowledge phenomena.

Twinning data science with information science in schools of library and information science

PurposeAs an emerging discipline, data science represents a vital new current of school of library and information science (LIS) education. However, it remains unclear how it relates to information science within LIS schools. The purpose of this paper is to clarify this issue.Design/methodology/approachMission statement and nature of both data science and information science are analyzed by reviewing existing work in the two disciplines and drawing DIKW hierarchy. It looks at the ways in which information science theories bring new insights and shed new light on fundamentals of data science.FindingsData science and information science are twin disciplines by nature. The mission, task and nature of data science are consistent with those of information science. They greatly overlap and share similar concerns. Furthermore, they can complement each other. LIS school should integrate both sciences and develop organizational ambidexterity. Information science can make unique contributions to data science research, including conception of data, data quality control, data librarianship and theory dualism. Document theory, as a promising direction of unified information science, should be introduced to data science to solve the disciplinary divide.Originality/valueThe results of this paper may contribute to the integration of data science and information science within LIS schools and iSchools. It has particular value for LIS school development and reform in the age of big data.

Research on SDG Fault Diagnosis of Ocean Shipping Boiler System Based on Fuzzy Granular Computing Under Data Fusion

Abstract The research work in this paper belongs to the application of granular computing, graph theory and its application in fault detection and diagnosis. It is a cross cutting and frontier research field in computer science, information science and graph theory. The results of this paper are of great significance to the application of the fault detection and diagnosis of the ocean boilers system. This research combines granular computing theory and signed directed graph, and proposes a new method of fault diagnosis, and applies it to the fault diagnosis of ocean ship boiler system.

Equipment Manufacturing Standard System Innovation Method Research

Equipment manufacturing industry standard system became the basis intelligent manufacturing. In view of the current situation of the development of equipment manufacturing industry standard system, finding weak links for the existence, and solve practical problems although applies the method of information science and technology theory, and design Material&field model, and the method precision calibration, came up with the optimized solution feasible standard system innovation, and provides a new thought and method for the equipment manufacturing industry standard system construction.

Uncertainty modelling and analysis of volume calculations based on a regular grid digital elevation model (DEM)

The accuracy of earthwork calculations that compute terrain volume is critical to digital terrain analysis (DTA). The uncertainties in volume calculations (VCs) based on a DEM are primarily related to three factors: 1) model error (ME), which is caused by an adopted algorithm for a VC model, 2) discrete error (DE), which is usually caused by DEM resolution and terrain complexity, and 3) propagation error (PE), which is caused by the variables' error. Based on these factors, the uncertainty modelling and analysis of VCs based on a regular grid DEM are investigated in this paper. Especially, how to quantify the uncertainty of VCs is proposed by a confidence interval based on truncation error (TE). In the experiments, the trapezoidal double rule (TDR) and Simpson's double rule (SDR) were used to calculate volume, where the TE is the major ME, and six simulated regular grid DEMs with different terrain complexity and resolution (i.e. DE) were generated by a Gauss synthetic surface to easily obtain the theoretical true value and eliminate the interference of data errors. For PE, Monte-Carlo simulation techniques and spatial autocorrelation were used to represent DEM uncertainty. This study can enrich uncertainty modelling and analysis-related theories of geographic information science.

Ethics, effectiveness and population health information interventions: a Canadian analysis.

Population health information interventions (PHIIs) use information in efforts to promote health. PHIIs may push information to a target audience (communication), pull information from the public (surveillance), or combine both in a bidirectional intervention. Although PHIIs have often been framed as non-invasive and ethically innocuous, in reality they may be intrusive into people's lives, affecting not only their health but their senses of security, respect, and self-determination. Ethical acceptability of PHIIs may have impacts on intervention effectiveness, potentially giving rise to unintended consequences. This article examines push, pull, and bidirectional PHIIs using empirical data from an ethnographic study of young mothers in Greater Vancouver, Canada. Data were collected from October 2013 to December 2014 via naturalistic observation and individual interviews with 37 young mothers ages 16-22. Transcribed interviews and field notes were analyzed using inductive qualitative thematic analysis. Both push and pull interventions were experienced as non-neutral by the target population, and implementation factors on a structural and individual scale affected intervention ethics and effectiveness. Based on our findings, we suggest that careful ethical consideration be applied to use of PHIIs as health promotion tools. Advancing the 'ethics of PHIIs' will benefit from empirical data that is informed by information and computer science theory and methods. Information technologies, digital health promotion services, and integrated surveillance programs reflect important areas for investigation in terms of their effects and ethics. Health promotion researchers, practitioners, and ethicists should explore these across contexts and populations.

Analysis of the lag effect of embankment dam seepage based on delayed mutual information

Environmental variables, such as the upstream level, significantly affect the embankment dam seepage lag time. The lag effect should, therefore, be given adequate consideration when determining the saturation line and establishing a mathematical model for seepage. At present, however, the lag time is mainly estimated qualitatively. A method for analyzing the seepage lag effect is presented herein based on the mutual information principle of information science theory, wherein the upstream water level is considered an information source and water level of the seepage pressure is considered an information function point. The method explores application of the directed information transfer index (DITI) of mutual information in order to establish an information transfer model between seepage levels of measurement points and upstream levels of the embankment dam. Furthermore, an extreme value of the DITI function is adopted as the judging criterion to determine the lag time of the influence of the upstream level on corresponding seepage levels. Results obtained through analysis of an engineering case study, demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.

Modeling evacuation in institutional space: Linking three-dimensional data capture, simulation, analysis, and visualization workflows for risk assessment and communication

This article presents exploratory research to develop new workflows that address the challenges of adequately capturing the geometry and topology of complex institutional spaces, the analysis of prescriptive evacuation plans, and the simulation of human movement and behavior in emergency scenarios. We present a collection of geovisual analytical environments that were developed to permit new ways to view and assess risk, evacuation, and human movement. Part of this research considers how different approaches to the representation of complex institutional space, using three-dimensional capture technologies at multiple resolutions (or derived from conventional formats, such as building plans), have implicit advantages or liabilities in the analysis of risk and human evacuation. We combine three-dimensional data capture methods with geographical information science theory, three-dimensional game engines, three-dimensional evacuation simulations and spatial analyses that address the variability of campus populations, and draw upon three-dimensional modeling and photogrammetry for the assessment of real-world features in digital space. The outcome of this research demonstrates agile workflows that address emergency planning requirements, but could also enable enhanced visual analysis and interactive learning by all campus citizens. Furthermore, this work reveals key considerations and limitations associated with the dynamic nature of evacuation events and the static environments in which they have been simulated.

Creating smarter cities: Considerations for selecting online participatory tools

The abundance of online public participation tools has made it difficult for planning organizations to decide which tool will best meet their needs. Understanding the benefits or challenges of specific tools, facilitation requirements, or how individual tools may best advance the public participation aims is not always easy. This article builds on theories of planning, organizations, and information science to discuss various factors that cities and planning organizations should consider in deciding whether and how they should choose online participatory tools. While the technical capability of online technologies in facilitating participation and decision making should be examined, the capability of planning organizations and communities in adopting these technologies should be considered as well. This article argues that planning organizations should choose a participation platform based on the capacities of their organization, the characteristics of the communities that are going to use the tool, user-community norms and rules, and the tool's capabilities.