THE FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGY FOR THE HIS TORY OF INFORMATION

The objective of the study is to search for the framework and methodol ogy of the historical study of information. The notion of 'the history of information', proposed by Norman D. Stevens, is analysed and subje cted to theoretical considerations. The historical works related to th e history of information, including the works published in Japanese, a re analyzed, and their properties and problems are pointed. Grouping t hose works, five categories of factors in the history of information a re identified, and their interrelations are listed. Categories identif ied are: systems for information, the field of information science and the notion of information, communication activities, whole bodies of societies and politico-economical systems, knowledge in objective sens e. The framework for the history of information is discussed with cons ideration of the idea of 'informational conception of history' propose d by Toshio Kitagawa. It is pointed that formation of the framework sh ould be linked to fundamental studies of information phenomena. Some n ormative studies for the historical study of information are reviewed, and brief guidance to the future study is made.