Possibility, Risk and Uncertainty: Analysis of Trends in the Information Sciences

Abstract

This paper presents the results of research on trends in the information sciences in the framework of the project “Curricular innovation of the undergraduate programs in Archival and Library Sciences of the Universidad de Antioquia” of the Escuela Interamericana de Bibliotecología. Social trends were analyzed to think about how political, educational, economic, and environmental factors influence the contexts in which professionals and institutions operate; trends in scientific and academic production in the field of information sciences, to investigate where research is going. Trends in information and data technologies are described, characterized by rapid changes and developments which indicate the horizons of this area of work, but which are not the sole determinant of trends. Finally, we reflect on trends in institutions, how they respond to these transformations and social and technological demands. The method implemented in the research had a mainly qualitative approach, using four research techniques: 1) analysis of social networks of scientific production; 2) consultation of press releases from multilateral organizations and institutions in the area; 3) analysis of market sources; and 4) development of in-depth interviews with specialists in the field. It is concluded that technological development and the role of information and memory professionals and institutions demand constant and abrupt changes for the adoption of new technologies. However, care must be taken; a critical and conscious position must be taken, which does not ignore the foundations of the fields of knowledge, and the social and cultural practices that professionals face.