Chapter 12. Research as an information systems domain

Chapter 12. Research as an information systems domain
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Craig McDonald

School of Information Sciences and Engineering, University of Canberra

Abstract

There is growing interest in the use of ICT in the domains of science and research. Little of that interest is currently focused on the systems aspects of those domains, but instead looks piecemeal at the way they may make use of particular ICT tools. Two important opportunities exist here for the information systems discipline; firstly, to analyse it as a human activity system to see how ICT can be systematically employed in its activities, and secondly, to view the deployment and adoption in society of knowledge created by research as a matter of information systems inter-operation. This paper looks at how the foundation ideas of IS might be mobilised to improve the vital domain of research.

Table of Contents

Introduction
e-Science and e-Research
Information systems
Research, human activity systems, and ICT
Information systems in research
Research and practice interoperability
Conclusion

Introduction

Information systems is a discipline that interests itself in the interaction of information technologies with human activity systems. The purpose of this paper is to examine some aspects of research as a human activity system and the role information systems might play in it.