Information Systems in Interdisciplinary Research: Analytic and Holistic Ways to Access Information Science Knowledge

Abstract

The paper explores how information science knowledge can be used systematically in digital, interdisciplinary research settings and gives a conceptual analysis of the relationship between information science knowledge as donor and other research as receiver in an interdisciplinary project environment. The validity of the approach is demonstrated by the author’s work on the project “The Primacy of Tense: A. N. Prior Now and Then.” The study proposes a hybrid approach, combining analysis and synthesis. The analytical component identifies information systems, assigns an information system type to them, and accesses the information science knowledge associated with that type. The synthetic part focuses on the connections between information systems according to the receiver discipline’s practices. The paper makes explicit the actions of experienced information professionals, thereby making their expertise accessible to others. The analytical and synthetic strategies are explained by linking them to two modes of researchers in the receiver discipline, how they act as researchers and what they know about it. The paper offers information professionals concrete assistance with identification of the appropriate strategy for accessing professional knowledge and taking appropriate actions and development decisions.