Abstract

The scientific nature of Information Science and its interdisciplinary relationships with other fields are discussed. I review some of the theoretical positions that coexist, oftentimes in conflict with each other, including the Mathematical Theory of Communication, Social Epistemology, Floridi’s Philosophy of Information, and theoretical positions in areas such as information technologies, information retrieval, bibliometrics, and big data. I conclude that the theoretical project of Social Epistemology, in its original conception by Egan and Shera, in its current manifestations in the philosophy of Steve Fuller, and in the paradigm of domain analysis by Hjørland, is one of the most solid proposals for providing a social, theoretical foundation for Information Science.

Abstract

Our modern information societies are also –and especially– personal information societies. The collection of personal data has become the key asset for the development of digital markets. Even more, the way in which now people perceive and manage their privacy totally contrasts with the situation just a few years ago. Although these social transformations have accelerated recently, the process of modification of the scenario contextualising the use and value of personal information is ongoing for half a century. By means of the analysis of academic literature on the topic, this article describes such an evolution as well as the current interests of companies, citizens and public administrations regarding the disclosure and use of personal information.

Abstract

Algorithms in the strategies of political parties are becoming increasingly significant, particularly with the use of big data and the inclusion of the automation in the production and circulation of online content obtained from personal data. This paper studies the scope of algorithmic political communication, its strengths, weaknesses and implications in democracy in order to measure the real scenario of robotized information in parties. A qualitative analysis is designed based on in-depth interviews with political advisors and consultants. The results highlight the widespread implementation of algorithmic political communication in the main Spanish parties, although their level of development is irregular. It’s detected that automated information systems are being used primarily in the pre-production and circulation phase of the message and are beginning to be implemented in the production phases. Robots advance in their path as infomediaries between politicians and citizens.