Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis This subject deals with the process and systems for the capture of communicated information, as well as those for the operation, exploitation and transmission of recorded information. It develops an understanding of the principles behind the processing of information for optimal storage, retrieval and dissemination. Attention is also paid to the capturing of communicated information as records, in conjunction with processes involved in the retention, disposition and preservation of recorded information. The principles and practices are placed in both a systems and a service context, building upon knowledge and skills developed in the first year core subjects. Topics covered include choice of media for information storage, with particular emphasis on electronic information and its organisation requirements for particular information types; methodologies for description of particular information types; the theory and application of classification and indexing systems (and the indexing of information content including coding through schedules, subject headings, thesauri construction, pre and post coordinate indexing, controlled vocabularies and natural language approaches); methods for identifying users and structuring access to take account of these needs in conjunction with privacy issues, freedom of information provisions and the needs for share information; methods for identifying material of continuing value and mechanisms for controlling disposition; the capture of communicated transactions and the acquisition of information; methods for establishing documentation programs, and the analysis of the context in which information was created or received.