[rclis] Knowledge Map of Information Science

[Antonella De Robbio (Casa)]

Drawing a Knowledge Map of Information Science refers to its different 
meanings

Cheers
Antonella

-----Messaggio originale-----

Da: Chaim Zins [mailto:chaimz at research.haifa.ac.il]
Inviato: giovedì 15 gennaio 2004 10.49
A: ifla-l at infoserv.inist.fr
Cc: chaimz at research.haifa.ac.il
Oggetto: CFP: Knowledge Map of Information Science

Dear Colleagues,

My name is Chaim Zins and I am an information scientist. I would like to
invite you to participate in an exciting study, "Knowledge Map of
Information Science". The study is sponsored by the Israel Science
Foundation, which is affiliated to the Israel Academy of Science.

So far, 90 leading scholars have agreed to receive the first
questionnaire. Fifteen scholars have responded, among them four
philosophers. I have already encountered six different conceptions of
Information Science (IS).

The study explores the theoretical foundations of 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 issues involved.

The study is composed of three successive rounds of structured,
comprehensive, and lengthy (10+ pages each) questionnaires that will be
sent to the panel via email. Most of the questions are open. 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.

If you know of other prominent members of the IS academic community, I
would be grateful if you would send me their names, and I will invite
them to join the panel.

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 research panel. 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;
(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.

I am well aware that participating in the panel is demanding and time
consuming. However, it is expected that the study will be intellectually
challenging, highly interesting, and extremely exciting.

For more information on the study please visit:
http://hw.haifa.ac.il/human/hebrew/ISMapWeb.htm

I hope that you will accept the invitation to participate. I look
forward to receiving your decision (Please note that I will confirm your
response within few days. If you do not get confirmation, please
resubmit your email).

Respectfully,

Chaim Zins

Chaim Zins, PhD
Bar Ilan University
Tel/Fax: 972-2-5816705
Homepage (at the University of Haifa:
http://hw.haifa.ac.il/human/hebrew/chaim_zins.html
Success Site: http://www.success.co.il
email: chaimz at research.haifa.ac.il chaimz at macam.ac.il