Information Science is an interdisciplinary field that
studies how information is collected, organized, stored, retrieved,
communicated, and used. It connects technology, people, and processes, and
underpins today’s information-rich societies.
🔹 Relationship of Information Science with Other Subjects
- Library & Information Science: Organization, cataloguing, metadata, indexing, retrieval, user services.
- Computer Science: Algorithms, databases, IR systems, AI/ML, data structures, HCI.
- Communication Studies: Media, channels, messaging, diffusion of information.
- Management: Information as a strategic resource; MIS, knowledge management, decision support.
- Social Sciences: Information behavior, needs, ethics, accessibility, societal impact.
- Cognitive Science: Human information processing, memory, sense-making.
- Linguistics: Controlled vocabularies, NLP, text processing, ontologies.
🔹 Information Society
An Information Society is one in which information creation, processing, and distribution are major economic, social, and cultural activities—powered by ICT.
- Drivers: Internet, mobile networks, cloud services, e-governance.
- Features: High information flow, digital services, data-centric decision making.
- Challenges: Digital divide, privacy, information overload, cybersecurity.
- Examples: e-Learning platforms, online media, e-commerce, open data portals.
🔹 Knowledge Society
A Knowledge Society advances beyond access to information and emphasizes creation, sharing, and application of knowledge to drive innovation and development.
- Pillars: Education, research, innovation ecosystems, lifelong learning.
- Practices: Open science, collaborative networks, knowledge transfer.
- Goals: Empowerment, sustainability, inclusive growth.
- Examples: Research institutions, open-access journals, collaborative platforms.
🔹 Information Society vs Knowledge Society
| Aspect | Information Society | Knowledge Society |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Access & use of information | Creation & application of knowledge |
| Main drivers | ICT infrastructure, networks, data services | Education, research, innovation, skills |
| Outcomes | Information availability & connectivity | Problem solving, innovation, value creation |
| Key challenges | Digital divide, misinformation, privacy | Knowledge gap, capacity building, equity in participation |
🔹 Conclusion
Information Science acts as a bridge between technology and society—enabling effective access to information (Information Society) and transforming it into actionable understanding (Knowledge Society). For LIS professionals and researchers, grasping these relationships is crucial to designing equitable, innovative information services.
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