Information science is a complex, interdisciplinary area of study concerned with the collection and organization of information, as well as how society and individuals relate to information. Read on to learn more about this field.
Information Science Defined
Information science involves several disciplines, including behavioral science, social science, business and computer science. It deals with various forms of information and the communication, processing, evaluation, analysis and storage of information by machines and people. Information science involves working with computers and enormous quantities of information but focuses on the systems themselves and how they are used, leaning heavily on investigation and research. Information science can be divided into three major areas (with some of their associated disciplines of study):
- Information systems - operations research and computer science
- Computer human interaction - cognitive studies, communication and psychology
- Studying computing from a social studies perspective - economics, science, technology and law
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutComputerAndInformationSystemsManagers">Important Facts About Computer and Information Systems Managers</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $159,010</td></tr>
<tr><td> Required Education </td><td> Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 16% growth</td></tr>
<tr><td>On-the-Job Training</td><td> None</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment</td><td> Computer systems design services, financial and insurance facilities, corporate enterprises, governmental institutions</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---InformationScienceAndComputerScience">Information Science and Computer Science</h3><p>Computer science combined with information science looks at the application or purpose, development, design, impact and theory of information processing techniques and computer systems. The aim is to make computer systems easier to use, to design information systems that better fulfill organization's needs and to reap information technology's benefits without negative consequences. This requires the study of technology along with knowledge of the environment (both cultural and cognitive) where people will be interacting with computers.
</p><h3 id="section---InformationScienceSHolisticView">Information Science's Holistic View</h3><p>The field of information science must look at the total picture. It must take into consideration the organization that needs the system to solve a problem, the end users, the network and computers that process and store the information and the information itself. The system must fix the client's problem or provide the correct information in a reliable and efficient manner. In addition, end users must be able to use the system, which must be in compliance with policy, ethical and legal considerations of society and the client.</p>
