Page 104 - 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 103

1.4 Information science theories and methods

Theoretical methods are the foundation of the development of any discipline and field. Its mission
is to extract key factors from complex social environments and disorderly organizations, to help
humans correctly understand and manage what they are studying, and provide guidance for specific
practice [38] . Theoretical methods have two meanings, that is, theories and methods. Theories
and methods are complementary and could be converted under certain conditions. The study of
theories is the need for the development of information science theory, which could promote the
transformation of theory into practice. Moreover, correct and in-depth theories require a proven
[39]
scientific method . Information science in China has formed a relatively mature discipline system.
In nearly seventy years, the essence of supporting its development is its theories and methods.
What is information science? What is information science studying? This is the most basic
question for constructing information science theory. The concept of information science is
inseparable from what it studying. As mentioned above, information science in China, which
originated from practice, has three stages: documents organization, information organization, and
knowledge organization. The two changes in its research objects were carried out in the context of
the increasing demand for information and of the knowledge economy. According to the definition
of information science put forward by Mikhailov, “Information science is a science that studies the
composition and characteristics of scientific information and the regularity of the whole process of
scientific communication”, the earliest information science research object proposed in China was
scientific and technological intelligence information. Later, the research on science and technology
information not only promoted the development of information science but also pushed forward the
progress of science and technology. However, at that time, the information service, which included
tracking, collecting, translating, reporting and analyzing scientific and technological information,
could not meet the growing needs. In the late 1980s, the academic community generally recognized
that the research object of information science should be all activities related to people, and it must
be extended to social information phenomena and any social fields involving human activities,
[40]
including economy, science and technology, communication, ecology, etc. , which meant a large
amount of knowledge/information would be generated accordingly.
In the 21st century, national security has become the top priority of a nation’s development.
China needs to resolutely follow the path of national security with Chinese characteristics. New
tasks, new situations, and new extensions provide new ideas for the development of information
science. Under the guidance of the overall national security concept, the National Intelligence
Law, the Cybersecurity Law and the Counter-terrorism Law had been formulated and promulgated
successively, which broadened the content of intelligence activities. Our national security is
not only military security, but also invisible wars in the fields of trade, science and technology,