Open AccessInterdisciplinarity in the information field
Author(s) -
Madsen Dorte
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
proceedings of the american society for information science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1550-8390
pISSN - 0044-7870
DOI - 10.1002/meet.14504901016
Subject(s) - transdisciplinarity , conceptual framework , field (mathematics) , interdisciplinarity , epistemology , management science , conceptual blending , sociology , information system , computer science , knowledge management , engineering , psychology , social science , philosophy , mathematics , cognition , electrical engineering , neuroscience , pure mathematics
Interdisciplinarity and its implications for developing a conceptual framework for the Information Field is discussed, and Zhang & Benjamin's (2007) paper Understanding Information Related Fields: A Conceptual Framework is examined. It is argued that the fundamental components of a framework must be seen as embedded in disciplines, with their theories, concepts, approaches and assumptions. It is argued that a theoretically based distinction between multi‐, inter‐ and transdisciplinarity is important as a foundation for a discussion of a conceptual framework for the Information Field. It is shown how interdisciplinary theory may inform the development of a shared conceptual framework for the Information Field. A continuum of integration from multi‐ to inter‐ to transdisciplinarity is useful for a distinction of different degrees of synthesis, as common conceptual frameworks tend to be associated with transdisciplinarity, which represents the greatest synthesis of approach.