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Indicators of a discipline are summarized and Biglan's categorization of disciplines is explained. The author provides a critique of opinions on the nature of IS as a discipline, using Biglan's categories as a framework. The author contrasts the views of those who see the discipline as problematically fragmented and those who envision a discipline of fruitfully interlinked specialisms. This section of the paper concludes by considering disciplinary boundaries and the international scope of the discipline. The last section of the paper reviews the state of IS in the UK, drawing on evidence and on personal experience. Factors considered are: evidence of networks and communities of practice; the name and standing of academic departments and courses; artefacts and personal identification. The author concludes by identifying particular challenges for IS in the UK and indicates areas for research.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/01655515030294007","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2003,10,25]],"date-time":"2003-10-25T20:27:16Z","timestamp":1067113636000},"page":"311-330","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":38,"title":["Information Science in 2003: A Critique"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"29","author":[{"given":"Sheila","family":"Webber","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Information Studies, University of Sheffield, Sheffield,                         UK,"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2003,8,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"atypb1","first-page":"1","volume-title":"The Origins of Information Science","author":"A.J. Meadows","year":"1987"},{"key":"atypb2","first-page":"3","volume-title":"The Study of Information: Interdisciplinary Messages","author":"F. 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