THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE: THE INFORMING SYSTEM OF A TRANSDISCIPLINE

Abstract

Aim/Purpose The Informing Science Institute (ISI) is an informing system, designed using in-forming science principles, for the express purpose of informing researchers who study problems related to informing. This paper describes the ISI as an ap-plied instance of an informing system and analyzes the channels, informers, and clients of the ISI. Background This paper begins with a brief overview of the current activity of the ISI, as well as an introduction to informing science philosophy and an explanation of the need for a transdiscipline. The ISI is a non-profit organization that provides several informing channels, including 13 open-access, peer-reviewed journals, as well as conferences, books, and outreach activities. Methodology Statistical analyses of the authors, institutions, and countries of origin were con-ducted for every ISI paper published between 1998 and December of 2019. Ad-ditionally, interviews were conducted with 5 current and former Editors-in-Chief of ISI journals. Contribution This paper provides a current description and analysis of the ISI informing sys-tem’s channels, informers, and clients. Findings The ISI has published over 4,100 articles by over 4,500 authors from over 600 universities. Statistical analyses of articles published in ISI journals demon-strated that the ISI is characterized in part by robust international participation, with significant participation by authors from countries that have been tradi-tionally under-represented in academic publications. The ISI achieved these outcomes through the use of the philosophical principles and design guidelines for informing science