Information studies is a broad and interdisciplinary field, primarily concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information. It examines the interaction between people, organizations and any existing information systems, with the aim of creating, replacing, improving or understanding information systems.

Information studies tackles systemic problems first rather than individual pieces of technology within that system: it focuses on understanding information problems from the perspective of the stakeholders involved, and then applying technologies as needed. Not only aspects of computer science are incorporated, but also of research fields like cognitive science, commerce, communications, management, philosophy, public policy, and the social sciences.