Proposes scientific theory of the subject matter of library and information science and how it can be organized in terms of the function of documents and their basic use. A hierarchy of classes of documents is described including one, several, or all of the following: information, creativity, understanding, and explanation. (Author/EM)

Delineates various levels of theory with implications for research in library and information science. Based upon a review of literature on theory building and research methods in the social sciences, a model is proposed which displays a taxonomy of theory in hierarchical form. (EM)

Examines the application of the Fishbein and Ajzen model of attitude-behavior consistency to research in library and information science (LIS). The components of the model are explained, two examples of LIS research are presented, and there is a brief review of areas in LIS that could benefit from attitude-behavior consistency research. (Contains…

Examines the literature on the myth of "hard science-soft science" as a means of defining scientific specialties and classifying science literature, and discusses some shortcomings of scholarship in library and information science. Use of Toulmin's categorization of sciences to organize the literature and provide access for scientists is…

Describes British Library's work on Systems Dynamics, a set of techniques for building simulation models based on analysis of information feedback loops. Highlights include macro-simulation modelling activities of social science disciplines, systems analyses and models of information retrieval processes and library services, policy models, and…