SP09Q5ANS

Spring 2009 Question 5
Information is defined in so many ways by users, LIS professionals, and researchers. In your essay: •Discuss the THREE definitions of information provided by Michael Buckland with adequate examples. •What is the relationship between information and communication? •Describe the important elements of a typical information system. Illustrate with an example of an information system from your everyday life.

Responses:

 * 1) Information-as-process - "when someone is informed, what they know is changed. In this sense, "information" is "the act of informing...; communication of the knowleged or 'news' of some fact or occurence; the action of telling or fact of being told something"
 * 2) Information-as-knowledge: 'information is used to dentoe that which is perceived in 'information as process:' the 'knowledge communicated concerning some particular fact, subject, or event; that of which one is apprised or told...'" (in simple terms - something that is communicated)
 * intangible; one cannot touch it or measure it in any direct way.
 * 1) Information-as-thing: "the term 'information' is also used attributively for objects, such as data and documents that are referred to as 'information' because they are regarded as being informative..."

Application in an information system: information systems deal with the "thing" (the physical information).

An information system collects, retains, manages, and provides information. An I.S. is composed of hardware, software, data, procedures, and people. In I.S. allows people to
 * find
 * indentify
 * select
 * obtain
 * navigate