IS Week 1

This week in IS2000 we focused on what information science is, and later upon elicitation and its importance to the field. Information scientists structure and organize data, as opposed to Data scientists who generally collect and analyze said data. Per Buckland (2012), Information science is with regard to computing, algorithms, and information technology, as well as the entropy of information. A type of information, generally understood to be insight, intuition, and contextualized information, is knowledge. There are two types of knowledge: tacit and explicit. Tacit knowledge is that which is internalized within individuals or organizations, while explicit knowledge is knowledge that has been externalized within books, articles, or operations manuals. The SECI model of knowledge posits that there are four ways that knowledge can be shared and conveyed: Socialization (tacit to tacit), Externalization (tacit to explicit), Combination (explicit to explicit), and Internalization (explicit to tacit).

Elicitation is the act of obtaining information from subject matter experts (SMEs). It can otherwise be understood to be a fact finding endeavor wherein the knowledge of domain experts is extracted. The process of elicitation requires a great deal of personal interaction and collaboration. The first step of elicitation once the objective of the information gathering has been identified is finding sources of information. These can include individuals, books, web sites, surveys, databases, and any number of other mediums. Elicitation, as stated previously, is a collaborative process ideally done face to face. It is extremely important when engaging in information elicitation to factor in that the collection of said information is subject to a variety of biases. Examples include in-group bias, gambler's fallacy, post-purchase rationalization,  neglecting of probability, observational selection bias, status quo bias, negativity bias, projection bias, bandwagon effect, projection bias, current moment bias, anchoring effect, and confirmation bias. Elicitation techniques can be categorized into two separate groups: collaborative and investigative. Collaborative techniques include brainstorming, interviews, observation, facilitated workshops, and focus groups. Investigative elicitation techniques include but are not limited to document analysis, surveys, discovery prototypes, reverse engineering, and interface analysis. Generally, in order to gain optimal results, multiple techniques of both types must be employed. When deciding upon which techniques to employ, considerations should include the purpose (why), the process (how), and the logistics (where). Why should this technique be used? When is this technique best applied? Where will the information be gathered? The discoveries made from these techniques in elicitation must always be recorded. This can be done in the form of index cards and sticky notes, whiteboards or flip cards, video or audio recording, computer based visual, notes, or databases. All of these are appropriate under different circumstances, but generally handwritten notes bear the greatest fruits. Observation is an often used elicitation technique in work places. Also known as job shadowing, it allows an individual to see how work is actually done rather than how it is described in job descriptions. Surveys are another method for eliciting information. Within surveys, questions are used to procure information, These questions can be open ended, closed, or partially open ended. The best surveys use all of these.

https://sites.google.com/site/informationelicitation/