Information Science

Published 22 March 2009

Processing of Scientific Information

Emilia Curras
University Professor
AHDI. Honorary Member 2003. IIS Fellow
Medalla de Oro. Foundation Prof. Kaula
SEI, Honorary Professor

Considering now the practical process of converting scientific information into something suitable for use, the characteristics of this process have to be analyzed as well as how these can be influenced by science.

In any information activity, the following processes should be considered:

- generation
- analysis and adjustment
- accumulation of storage
- transfer and communication

by means of which the data, or unit of useful information, is extracted from is context in an unknown situation forming part of an anonymous whole, to become a known protagonist, from which it will arrive at whatever destiny its future user might need to give it. It thus acquires a utilitarian character and a transcendental value, as it can affect so many human activities, depending on the type of data with respect to a given subject which influence the ontogenesis of the human being.

With respect to the generation of scientific information, we shall study its origin and its interaction with science as well as the influence of the latter on the formed.

Interaction between science and SI is mutual. Science generates SI which, in turn, generates sciences when it is used as a primary tool in its development. This is a continuous, cyclic process. It is not reversible and is evolutionary in ascending sense. With an increase in science, the generation of SI increases and this brings about more scientific wealth, today considered as accumulated learning. The process can be infinite. In practice, it will end when man´s existence ends on the planet Earth assuming human life is not moved to other planets or space ships outside our present atmosphere. And who knows whether that day will arrive?

The uncontrolled increase in scientific information could be highly detrimental to mankind, impairing his way of life and his internal –perhaps mental- balance. The brain picks up the information it receives and responds to this external stimulus to reach an “amorous” or homeostatic state. If, however, the quantity of information becomes greater than the assimilative capacity of the brain, it will be incapable of achieving a balanced state.

When, however, SI is elaborated in such a way that it can be rationally used to the advantage of science, it can be channelled toward good aims.

Misuse of SI can be tremendously detrimental to the human being, both on an individual level and socially. How many catastrophes could occur!

In fact, the influence science has over the present generation of SI cannot be analyzed so superficially. This is a transcendental matter and should be considered from different points of view depending of the scientific concept in question and according to the branch of science to referred to. Results can be positive and negative, and can likewise affect diverse aspects of the lives and activities of men and other living creatures, economically, ecologically, and even spiritually. Our capacity to discern between good and evil and SI itself will be fundamental in obtaining positive results, for, according to Federico Mayor, science is the pillar of mankind, and at the same time it leads us to for foresee and project the future.

Let us now consider what the influence of science, in a general sense, could be on the process of analysis and adjustment of scientific information. The primary aim is to make it comprehensible. We have already mentioned that information, among other things, comprised a systematization of facts to make them intelligible. These facts can equally be real or abstract and are contained in documents presented in the form of sings of normal writing or signs that can be read by diverse mechanisms. They must be comprehensible to allow subsequent use. Information that cannot be utilized is pointless and can therefore be discarded.

The utilization of SI presupposes the initiation of mental activity requiring psychic and physical effort. It therefore entails philosophical and scientific factors as well as psychological, anatomical and biological ones.

For examples, this work principally consists in studying the documents and extracting from them the required data containing the desired information. Likewise, classification systems must be created along with ways of cataloguing and indexing. What is read must be understood to extract and summarize whatever is essential. All this requires intellectual work for which science merely provides the experience achieve in the past. A good part of this work requires originally and inventiveness. Of course, through science, these qualities can be accentuated in the individual, either through genetics or natural evolution.

Likewise, to have at hand SI with useful, reliable and honest data that is intelligible and can be assimilated contributes to the advance of some part of science, and hence contributes in general to the development of mankind as a whole.

Mental activity is also required in the process of accumulation or storage of scientific, information. All human activity implies mental activity by definition.

The activity involved is directed towards the creation of ways of conserving and recuperating information in its most varied aspects, from the simple ordering of the documents themselves to reading apparatuses (recuperation) using lasers. Not should we forget the different forms of storing information. Foskett states that information originates from ideas which, when grouped together to form sets (of words, or texts). In this respect, place refers to data support and not topographical location.

Storage and recuperation does not just refer to the place or the isolated way in which data are found. It can also refer to the way in which the document itself is presented as a book, leafled, etc.

Hipolito Escolar defines a book as an ordered set of messages that allows one to overcome the barriers of time and space. Another definition speaks of a tool that considerably increases our memory capacity. Written information, which can be stores and recuperated, certifies something. It leaves a record of occurrences and facts “put down in black and white”, as the popular saying goes.

Science, in the last few years, has provided us will marvellous equipment which make conserving, storing and recuperating SI is extremely easy. Any data can be within our grasp in an unbelievably short time. The problem lies in economic limitations. Certain equipments is still too expensive for the average person, and access is not universal. However, precisely because of the rapid development of science, there is hope that situation will improve shortly.

There is no point whatsoever in having information in situ if the users are far away and have no access to it. Information therefore has to be transmitted and communicated.

In fact one cannot speak of information as existing if this fact is not transmitted and perceived, i.e., communicated. Data, a document, or a unit of useful information can easily sleep the deep sleep of the just, because, if it does not wake up and travel towards the person who requires it, it will never become information.

It is in these communication processes that the influence of science is best noted. In less than two hundred years, communication media have undergone truly remarkable changes. Who now thinks of the horse or stage coach as a means of transport of information? Pneumatic post is no longer used except within certain business enterprises. Nowadays, information travels by plane, and this is the slowest system, through the air, by cable, by satellite, using an array of almost incredible technological developments. Paradoxically, for the sake of speed, the “messenger” has returned, but he is now mounted on a mechanical horse. The very postal system which was so commendable for its perfect functioning is beginning to be outmoded and only suitable for private long-distance exchange of family information. Its situation will deteriorate even more when video-data, numerical optic disks, tele-text and other equipment can be used on a mass scale. The picture will change completely. Due to the influence of science, development will be a cyclic, not a lineal process.

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