Part $1$: Exploring the Concept of Information

Context and Focus

The reading for past few weeks has introduced you to the field of information behavior through the foundational research in the field, an explanation of information behaviors and a few "scenarios" of information behavior. In chapter $4$ Case & Given continue the introduction to the field through a discussion on the "concept of information", which is a critical concept in the discussion of information behaviors. In addition I have provided, What is Information Download What is Information$($another link to this file is available in "Module $6$: Reading"$),$ which summarizes the views of some of the earlier information science researchers regarding the question "What is Information?".

Discussion Questions: When responding to the discussion forum assignment, please aim for conciseness and clarity in your answers. This approach will help you to articulate your thoughts effectively and allow for a focused analysis of the key points from the readings.

Definition of Information $($Respond in $1$ paragraph$)$: Case & Given provide a definition for "information" $($pg$.56),$ which will be used in discussion throughout the book, what is that definition? What is the author's argument for selecting that definition? What are your thoughts about the definition?

Conceptualizations $($Respond in $1$ paragraph$)$: Case & Given present the conceptualizations of information as perceived by some of the researchers you have been introduced to in the first few weeks of class, discussing types of information $($Typologies of Information Concepts$)$ defined by researchers Dervin and Buckland $($also included in "Notes on Information$).$ Briefly discuss the differences in the way Dervin and Buckland view information. Also discuss the differences in the way the researchers in "Notes on Information" view information. How do these compare or contrast with your own "types" of information?

Information Theory $($Short Answer$)$: What is Information Theory $($Shannon$)$ and how does it "define" information?

Five Issues in Defining Information $($Short Answer$/$Bullet Points$)$: Case discusses "the five issues in defining information" $($pg$\mathrm{.}63)$ stating that many proposed definitions of information have "assumptions and requirements that differ from the ways we usually think about and experience such phenomena in everyday life" $($pg$.63)$ This narrative describes five dimensions that are used in the definition of information, "utility", "intentionality", "truth", "physicality", "structure$/$process$".$ After reading about these "five dimensions of information" and what other researchers have written regarding these "assumptions" about information, what are your thoughts about each of these assumptions about information?

Part $2$: Exploring Information

Discussion Questions: When responding to the discussion forum assignment, please aim for conciseness and clarity in your answers. This approach will help you to articulate your thoughts effectively and allow for a focused analysis of the key points from the readings.

Information as Commodity $($Short Answer$)$: The following question is taken from Case & Given $(2016)$ Appendix B for chapter $4$: Answer question #$1($pg$.379-380)$ about information as commodity.

The reading for this week also includes chapters from the text "Information Seeking in Electronic Environments" by Gary Marchionini, a researcher in information and technology in the $90$s whose research in this field is pertinent today and provides a look at one of the "systems$-$oriented studies" mentioned by Case&Given in chapter $3.$ Marchionini's specific work and research interest was "human$-$computer interaction" as described in the Preface $($a good introduction to the text$).$ Chapter $1$ is brief but provides a good introduction to Marchionini's work and ideas such as "relationships among key processes" $($pg$.9).$

Information Seeking $($Short Answer$)$: How does Marchionini describe information seeking? What are your thoughts about his belief that information seeking..."is a fundamental and high level cognitive process" $($pg$.6)?$

Personal Information Infrastructure $($PII$)($Respond in $1$ paragraph$)$: The concept of "Personal Information Infrastructure" $($PII$)$ is introduced in chapter $2.$ What is a "Personal Information Infrastructure" $($PII$)?$ Can you describe your own PII?

Digital Technology's Influence $($Short Answer$)$: According to Marchionini, what is the influence of digital technology on an individual's PII? What are your thoughts about the influence of digital technology on an individual's PII?