INFORMATION AND INFORMATION-SCIENCE IN CONTEXT

The article (*) demonstrates the development of information science through three stages: its emergence prior to the second World War, its search for identity and alliances during the sixties and seventies, and its establishment as a discipline during the period 1977-80. The scope and present state of the discipline is discussed, pointing to five major areas of concern for information science as well as a number of core sub-disciplines. Current and future trends are emphasized. Based on the cognitive view, as defined in 1977 by M. De Mey, the author discusses the understanding of the concept of "information" in relation to the discipline and proposes a consolidated concept which has to satisfy dual requirements in relation to both sender and recipient of conveyed messages, in order to be operational from a current perspective of information science. The proposal relies primarily on arguments and suggestions previously put forward by G. Wersig, A. Debons, and F. Machlup, and extends the information concept proposed by N. Belkin in 1978. The author draws special attention to the views expressed by the late B. C. Brookes by reviewing and re-considering the arguments associated with his "fundamental equation" for information science. The implications of the consolidated concept are briefly discussed.