Why is relevance still the basic notion in information science? (Despite great advances in information technology)

Document Type : Translation

Author

Master of library and information science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Abstract

Relevance:
... Relation to the matter at hand
... The ability (as of an information retrieval system) to
Retrieve material that satisfies the needs of the user.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online
 
Abstract
Relevance is a fundamental notion in information science. The aim of this paper is to provide a perspective on two large questions, the first historical the second contemporary: (1) Why did relevance become a central notion of information science? (2) In this day and age of huge advances in information technology, why did relevance still remain a central notion? In 1950s, relevance emerged as a central notion in information science because of extensive theoretical and practical concerns with and commitments to searching and not only with organization of information. In turn, searching was connected to and made possible by many innovations in computers and computing.

Keywords

References

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