Page 88 - Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.47, 2021

The basic categories and core propositions of

information science with Chinese characteristics

〇a ∗
AN Lu , CHEN Miaomiao, SHEN Yan & LI Gang
School of Information Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China

Abstract
Since its birth, information science in China has explored many research fields by learning from the
theories and methods of related disciplines at home and abroad. At present, in the new environment
of interdisciplinary and diversified social needs, in order to better serve the national scientific and
technological innovation and economic and social development, it is urgent to refine the key fields,
viewpoints and ideas of information science with Chinese characteristics. Based on the history and
current situation of information science with Chinese characteristics, this paper summarizes four basic
categories of information organization and retrieval, intelligence research, information service and
information science theories and methods, as well as sixteen related core propositions, and explains
the internal logical relationship between the categories. First, among the four categories, information
science theories and methods are the root of the discipline and the embodiment of the discipline’s
unique existence. Second, information organization and retrieval are the foundation of the discipline
and the starting point of discipline development and construction. Third, intelligence research is
the source of the discipline development. Fourth, information service is the source of the discipline
strength. The systematic analysis of the categories and propositions of information science with Chinese
characteristics can help clarify its essence and core. It is also of great significance to scientifically plan
the future development path of information science with Chinese characteristics, and further enhance
the local status and international competitiveness of the discipline.

Keywords
Information science, Basic categories, Core proposition, China.

0 Introduction

Information science originated from documentation science and developed under the background
of library science. Information science was influenced by the intelligence crisis brought about by
modern science and technology, the investment of the defense industry in World War II, and the
[1]
development of advanced scientific and technological information by the United States . During
1950s, Information Science with Chinese characteristics was emerging right after the founding
of People’s Republic of China, serving for information needs in specific scientific disciplines
or fields. Based on China’s scientific and technological information practice work under the
demand of national economic development and scientific and technological progress, it is finally
*Correspondence should be addressed to AN Lu,Email:anlu97@163. com,ORCID:0000-0002-5408-7135.