The most important trends of information science in the 21st century

Abstract

A limited number of the most prominent authors, books, reviews, organizations, universities and companies were examined with the aim of finding out how they define information science in the 21^st century and what are the dominant trends and tendencies in their conceptions. It was found that the most important tendency consist in the growth of research in information retrieval intertwined with intercultural communication studies at a globalized level. The more and more overwhelming deluge of data and their stunningly increasing role seem to have resulted in a new paradigm in which data are considered far more important than either information or knowledge. Electronic and social media as well as open access also came more than earlier in the focus of interest. With regard to the applications of information science, the absolute priority of business information services closely connected with research and development information systems must be emphasized. The educational and research activities of Eötvös Loránd University’s Library and Information Science Institute are in full conformity with the highest standards of the most state-of-the-art trends of contemporary information science research.