The quality and qualities of information

• Published in: Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 2013-04, Vol.64 (4), p.675-688
• Main Author: Mai, Jens-Erik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bibliometrics. Scientometrics; Bibliometrics. Scientometrics. Evaluation; Conversation; Exact sciences and technology; Information and communication sciences; Information science; Information science. Documentation; information use; Language; Library and information science. General aspects; Linguistics; Philosophy; Philosophy of language; Pragmatics; Quality; Sciences and techniques of general use; Semiotics; Studies
• ISSN: 1532-2882; 2330-1635; 1532-2890; 2330-1643
• DOI: 10.1002/asi.22783

The paper discusses and analyzes the notion of information quality in terms of a pragmatic philosophy of language. It is argued that the notion of information quality is of great importance, and needs to be situated better within a sound philosophy of information to help frame information quality in a broader conceptual light. It is found that much research on information quality conceptualizes information quality as either an inherent property of the information itself, or as an individual mental construct of the users. The notion of information quality is often not situated within a philosophy of information. This paper outlines a conceptual framework in which information is regarded as a semiotic sign, and extends that notion with Paul Grice's pragmatic philosophy of language to provide a conversational notion of information quality that is contextual and tied to the notion of meaning.