Ontological analysis of definitions of information: In search for its essence

The relation between documentation, information and knowledge are not clear and these terms are frequently used interchangeably. Which are the relations between the concepts of information, documentation and knowledge? Which would be the essence of information so as to precisely characterize it as a unique and distinct phenomenon? An ontological analysis of different definitions of information found in literature is proposed with the aim of identifying similarities, differences, nuances or variations. The aim of this study is to outline a theory of documentation and its relationship with information and knowledge in order to delimit information as an object of Information Science.