THE INVISIBLE SUBSTRATE OF INFORMATION SCIENCE – Bates (1999)

by Marcia J. Bates

Dept. of Information Studies
University of California, Los Angeles, USA
mjbates@ucla.edu

Copyright © 1999
by John Wiley and Sons
Journal of the American Society for Information Science 50, #12 (1999) 1043-1050.

AbstractThe explicit, above-the-water-line paradigm of information science is well known and widely discussed. Every disciplinary paradigm, however, contains elements that are less conscious and explicit in the thinking of its practitioners. The purpose of this article is to elucidate key elements of the below-the-water-line portion of the information science paradigm.Particular emphasis is given to information science’s role as a meta-science–conducting research and developing theory around the documentary products of other disciplines and activities. The mental activities of the professional practice of the field are seen to center around representation and organization of informationrather than knowing information. It is argued that such representation engages fundamentally different talents and skills from those required in other professions and intellectual disciplines. Methodological approaches and values of information science are also considered.