Journal article
Information and contemplation: a call for reflection and action
Journal of documentation, v 76(5), pp 999-1017
14 Sep 2020
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Purpose Americans increasingly feel a sense of wonder at the universe; meditation and yoga are on the rise; and a field known as Contemplative Studies has emerged. These indicators, among others, suggest a groundswell of interest in contemplative practice and contemplative experience and raise intriguing questions for information and Information Studies. Against this backdrop, this paper asks: How might Information Studies contribute to these developments? What is the relationship between information and contemplation? What can be explored on this research frontier? Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper is based upon a synthesis of recent writings from the field of Contemplative Studies as well as conceptual analysis of selected papers and themes in Information Studies. It draws from discussion that occurred at a Session for Interaction and Engagement at the 2018 iConference, entitled "Contemplating Information in the Pleasurable and the Profound" (Latham et al., 2018). The authors' creative thinking and personal contemplative practices also infuse and fortify the work. Findings Popular and academic contemplative movements are afoot, and Information Studies has an opportunity to participate or be left behind. The field of Contemplative Studies has established the foundational concepts that can serve as contextual material for information research into contemplation. Upon closer inspection, Information Studies has already broached the topic of contemplation at various points in its history, theory, institutional practices, and information behavior research. The conceptual points of departure for a research frontier are articulated. Originality/value Beyond data, information, and knowledge are deeper and more profound aims, such as wisdom, which is related to contemplation. This paper supplies a rationale, scholarly community, conceptual resources, historical precedents, and guiding questions for bridging information and contemplation.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Information and contemplation: a call for reflection and action
- Creators
- Kiersten F. Latham - Michigan State Univ, Dept Arts & Cultural Management & Museum Studies, E Lansing, MI 48824 USAJenna Hartel - Univ Toronto, Fac Informat, Toronto, ON, CanadaTim Gorichanaz - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Journal of documentation, v 76(5), pp 999-1017
- Publisher
- Emerald Group Publishing
- Number of pages
- 19
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Information Science
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000525074600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85082198411
- Other Identifier
- 991019167544904721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Computer Science, Information Systems
- Information Science & Library Science