Information science is the study of recording, storing, retrieving, and using information. Many librarians study information science. It is also used by businesses and government agencies.
Information science deals with a wide range of issues. For example, some information scientists specialize in information technology, using computers and computer networks to store and distribute data. They may seek ways in which people can more easily discover and use information found on the Internet. Some studies have aided in the design and improvement of online catalogs used by patrons of modern libraries. Some businesses analyze large masses of data using a system known as data mining to understand customer preferences and behavior.
Information science also includes the study of bibliometrics. Bibliometrics is the study of published literature and its usage. For example, information scientists can determine the importance of an academic journal (a periodical published by a university) by counting the number of times the journal’s title appears in footnotes or bibliographies. Librarians can use this technique, called citation analysis, to develop their collections (sources owned by a library).
Information scientists also seek better ways to manage information systems, such as computer systems. Information scientists study how to reduce the cost of maintaining an information system. They are also concerned with how the characteristics of a system affect the decisions of its users. Information scientists also try to gauge how a particular kind of information can be best marketed as a product.
