The concept of gatekeeping in information science: A philosophical reflection
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Abstract
The gatekeeping phenomenon has been studied in varied fields, and it has been applied with different meanings and purposes. The concept was coined in 1947 by Kurt Lewin to study food habits. He described housewives as gatekeepers who decide what food is appropriate, thus, led to the concept that gatekeepers control and effect members’ decision. This phenomenon attracted researchers from other fields. In 1977, Thomas Allen was the first scientist from the information science field to investigate the information flow in R&D labs. He described gatekeepers and established their characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to review the concept in current literature. The paper represents significant findings to prove the importance of gatekeeping in diverse contexts such as medical and business fields. This philosophical review gives a broad understanding of the concept that may open new routes for future studies and optimistically add value to the field of information science.
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