Page 102 - Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.47, 2021

AN Lu, CHEN Miaomiao, SHEN Yan & LI Gang / The basic categories and core propositions of information science with Chinese characteristics 101

decision-making, participation channel of multiple interests and values, and rational analysis
[33]
platform . As an intelligence product, the new types of think tank with Chinese characteristics is
closely related to intelligence research. It puts forward the theory of “three-steps” in the research
of information resources and consulting services, which correspond to information collection,
[34]
information analysis and information service . Firstly, the collection and integration of forward-
looking dynamic intelligence information is the foundation and premise of think tank research.
Secondly, the development and utilization of intelligence information is the basic guarantee for
think tanks. Thirdly, user-oriented information service is a prerequisite for the think tank to play
a front-end role. It can be said that, information science is the main supporting discipline of the
think tank, which provides basic theories and methods for it. On the other hand, the think tank
is an effective way for information science to serve the public, society and national scientific
decision-making, whose emphasis is on designing solutions with decision support value. With
the increasing research of the think tank, the content of information service continues to expand.
Think tank service is directly provided on the basis of knowledge service and intelligence support
technologies according to the diversified, socialized and personalized intelligence needs of think
tank users. The development of information resources has been continuously strengthened. While
paying attention to traditional research of paper-based resources, the development of information
resources also conforms to the trend of the era of big data, and incorporates data and knowledge
into the resources development and analysis of think tank resources. The information service
model continues to innovate. Thus, the relationship between information service and its users is
much closer. A common process for the knowledge base of the think tank guided by the needs of
information users is also established. The think tank development and information service have a
blended relationship. Information science can participate in the development of the think tank in
many ways, such as the level of organization, resources and methods, while the think tank could
also provide application services for information science from the national strategic level. At the
same time, the method, content, and technology of information service would directly affect the
efficiency and innovation ecosystem of the think tank products. It is a direct and effective way
for information service to provide efficient analysis and decision-making reference for the nation,
the public and enterprises for a long time [35] . Therefore, this paper puts forward the following
proposition about think tanks:

Proposition No.11: Developing new types of think tanks with Chinese characteristics is an effective way
for information science to serve the public, society and national scientific decision-making.

Intelligence users are the objects of intelligence services. The first task in intelligence is to
understand users’ needs. Through information demand theories such as sense-making theory and
Anomalous State of Knowledge, we could know that the needs of users have the characteristics of
variability, ambiguity and knowledge. In addition to the information needs at the expression level,