Information science and technology at the national science foundation

Information science is concerned with the structure of information and transfer, and information technology is concerned with the ways, in technical terms, available for use in effecting such an exchange. The support of research in information science and technology is achieved through the following program areas: 1. standards and measures, 2. the structure of information, 3. behavioral aspects of information transfer, 4. infometric models, and 5. information technology. Research in information science is entering a new phase, and in March of 1978, the Division of Information Science and Technology was established to meet new needs. In addition, the Division has begun a program of Special Research Initiation Awards for New Investigators in Information Science to encourage research innovation in the field. The primary goals of the National Science Foundation's Information Science and Technology Program include: 1. increasing understanding of the properties and structure of information and information transfer, and 2. contributing to the store of scientific and technical knowledge which can be applied in the design of information systems.