Having a Field Day

Thinking about the nature of field work with respect to information studies, I was reminded of an article I read for another class (INF1001), by Susan Leigh Star. In "The Ethnography of Infrastructure", Star writes about ways in the design and implementation of information infrastructure (for example, a computer system) affects people differently, resulting in varied meanings, uses, and interpretations, and ultimately functioning as a relationship.

Star reveals ways in which information infrastructure and systems (which she describes as "boring things") can result in some fascinating applications. I think fieldwork within the scope of information studies can manifest in surprising ways, including examining what appear to be very mundane, ordinary aspects of the functioning of a workplace, school, or even home. As Star's research demonstrates, these areas of study can contribute to profound insight into human interaction.

For example, Star identifies how hierarchies and master narratives can be found in information systems. She discusses medical history forms for women that prescribe monogamous heterosexuality, with space on the page for "maiden name" and "husband's name", etc. (Star, 1999, pg. 385).  She is also interested in the invisible elements of an infrastructure, such as the people who might not be considered essential in a workplace, school, or other institution: "I had originally wanted to include secretaries...this was strongly resisted by both biologists and systems developers, as they did not see the secretaries as doing real science" (Star, 1999, pg. 386).

Star's fieldwork included immersion in the work practices of a group of biologists and a group computer scientists. From this experience, two key characteristics reflect notable features of information infrastructure, including its development out of a history of practice (for example, certain standards in a workplace could dictate the appropriate way to send an e-mail; a particular vocabulary might only be available computer scientists or biologists; and or other conventions, like the use of the QWERTY keyboard), and the method in which it becomes visible upon a breakdown (such as with a power outage) (Star, 1999, pg. 385).  Star's focus on these invisible, normalized aspects of information structures demonstrate that fieldwork within the area of information studies can sometimes involve examining relationships which already exist and function, but which may not have been worthy of analysis or study before.

References

Star, Susan Leigh. (November 1999). The Ethnography of Infrastructure. American Behavioral Scientist, 43(3), 377-391