School of Information Management & Systems.   Fall 1999.   M. Buckland.
Infosys 290 - 3: Concepts of Information Management.

Assignment 1: Finding "Information". Due by class Sept 1.

We all use the word "information" quite freely and satisfactorily in everyday conversation. But suppose we try to be a bit more rigorous in defining what the word "information" means.   This assignment is not to attempt to define "information", but to take a look at how others have fared in attempting to explain what information is -- if they have attempted to do so.

1. Examine a variety of dictionaries, encyclopedias, or other sources to see what they say about "information".   Then prepare a short summary (two or three pages, single-spaced) of what you found.   Feel free to add your own comments.

2. Take a look at at least one large general dictionary and at least one general encyclopedia.

3. Look at one or more specialized dictionaries or encyclopedias in the social sciences, mass media, technology, whatever.

4. Spend at least an hour collecting the material.  Where to look:

(i) The Reference and Bibliography Room of the MAIN Library is still closed, so use the small Humanities and Area Studies Reference collection outside it and the INFO collection on the floor immediately below.

(ii) General encyclopedias are classified at AE.   General dictionaries are at PE.

(iii) Dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference works (e.g. bibliographies) on any particular topic are assigned the same classification numbers as other books on the same topic, but usually with a suffix to indicate that they are a dictionary or whatever.   They usually come at or near the beginning of a subject section.   Many, not all, are located in a library's reference section.   So, within the reference collections, try BX for religious encyclopedias, H for Social Sciences, P87-P96 for Mass Media, Q for Science, QA76 for Computing, T for Technology, TK for Electronics, Z for Libraranship and & Information management, etc.

Suggestion:   Start with a good, large general dictionary or two.  Include the Oxford English Dictionary (large, blue, many volumes, PN 1625.O87 1989 INFO)