Information behaviour of rural smallholder farmers in some selected developing countries: A literature review

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 831-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austine Phiri ◽  
George T Chipeta ◽  
Winner D Chawinga
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Access Information

The literature from some selected developing countries has demonstrated that rural smallholder farmers need various information sources in pursuit of their goals of increasing production and improving their living standards. According to the sampled studies, the majority of smallholder farmers access information on crop production. Smallholder farmers are aware of information sources despite challenges faced in accessing and using information. The majority of smallholder farmers access information through personal experiences, family members and friends. Despite access to various information sources, the literature has shown that smallholder farmers face various challenges in accessing and using information sources. The major challenges reported by the literature are lack of mobility, lack of finances, lack of rural information centres, and lack of visits by extension officers. The review has highlighted the lack of literature on the information behaviour of smallholder farmers in Malawi despite the fact that the country is an agricultural economy. The review is adapted from the Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) thesis authored by Austine Phiri at Mzuzu University.

scholarly journals “The journey will be relaxed. You will watch television. Just like a VIP”: Misinformation, secrecy, and the information behaviour of repatriated migrants in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-249
Author(s):  
Nafiz Zaman Shuva
Keyword(s):  
Program Development ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Irregular Migration ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Perceptions And Expectations

Abstract This paper explores the information behaviour of repatriated migrants in Bangladesh in the context of their irregular migration. Using an exploratory qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight repatriated migrants in Bangladesh. This study provides insights into the culturally situated, complicated information behaviour of repatriated migrants in Bangladesh. The findings of this study show that repatriated migrants did not seek any information in the context of their irregular migration. It is evident that factors such as unrealistic perceptions and expectations about life abroad, desperate desire to relocate to another country, and trust in smugglers and their agents played a key role in their information seeking in the context of their irregular migration. The study revealed that some participants were unaware of the risk of taking an irregular journey and deceived by the misinformation shared by their smugglers and their agents. Some interviewees even claimed not to attempt to move to Malaysia if they were aware of the heavy risks associated with the move. The concepts of “migration as gambling” and “Aladdin’s lamp” emerged in this study have some implications for local informational program development aiming to educate vulnerable rural population about the risk of irregular migration and connect them with reliable migrational information sources. The study identified some information grounds such as the Bazaar and Betel fields, which might be useful in offering informational programs at those grounds. The findings related to the information behaviour of repatriated migrants have potential implications for research in various disciplines, including library and information science, migrational studies, geography, and psychology.

scholarly journals Levels of critique in models and concepts of human information behaviour research

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Research Domain

PurposeTo elaborate the nature of critique presented in the models and concepts of human information behaviour (HIB) research by identifying the issues to which the critique is directed and the ways in which the critique is conducted.Design/methodology/approachConceptual analysis focusing on 58 key studies on the topic. First, the objects and ways of conducting the critique were identified. Thereafter, three levels of depth at which the critique is conducted were specified. The conceptual analysis is based on the comparison of the similarities and differences between the articulations of critique presented at these levels.FindingsAt the lowest level of depth, critique of HIB research is directed to the lack of research by identifying gaps and complaining the neglect or paucity of studies in a significant domain. At the level of critiquing the shortcomings of existing studies, the attention is focused on the identification and analysis of the inadequacies of concepts and models. Finally, constructive critiques of research approaches dig deeper in that they not only identify weaknesses of existing studies but also propose alternative in which the shortcomings can be avoided, and the conceptualizations of HIB enhanced.Research limitations/implicationsAs the study focuses on critiques addressed to HIB models and concepts, the findings cannot be generalized to concern the field of Library and Information Science (LIS) as a whole. Moreover, due to the emphasis of the qualitative research approach, the findings offer only an indicative picture of the frequency of the objects critiqued in HIB research.Originality/valueThe study pioneers by providing an in-depth analysis of the nature of critiques presented in a LIS research domain.

scholarly journals Health Information behaviour during COVID-19 outbreak among Egyptian library and information science undergraduate students

2020 ◽  
pp. 026666692097618
Author(s):  
Ahmed Shehata
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Information Literacy Skills

Health information shared on the Internet has the potential to improve people’s quality of life. However, the level of health information literacy and informational skills determines the individuals’ ability to obtain credible health information useful for them. This study investigates the Egyptian LIS undergraduates’ health information behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study has adopted a quantitative approach using a questionnaire to explore library and information science undergraduates’ health information behaviour. A sample of 161 students answered a questionnaire. The data were analysed using SPSS software. The study results show that official health websites, social media, and family and friends are the primary sources for health information for the participants. The findings also revealed that the sample has adequate health information skills, though many of the participants still need to raise their information literacy skills. Information credibility and personal beliefs were found to affect the participants’ decision to share health information on the Internet. One of the limitations of the study is that the sample selected in this study was LIS students who are trained to find reliable information as part of their education. Findings may be different for the “average” student. Furthermore, the questionnaire was distributed in one university, which means that the results cannot be generalised in other LIS departments using different courses. Therefore, more studies need to be conducted in other LIS departments with different course plans as they may produce different results. This study explores the health information behaviour of LIS undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study results may help develop the course plan in many LIS departments in Egypt and the Middle East, which would help improve the students’ health information literacy.

The Changing Nature of Information Behavior and the Information Environment

2016 ◽  
pp. 2187-2201
Author(s):  
Mohammed Nasser Al-Suqri
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Information Environment ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
Nature Of Information ◽  
Gulf States ◽  
Future Viability

This chapter examines the changing nature of the information environment and its implications for Library and Information Science (LIS), with a focus on developing countries in general and the Arab Gulf states in particular. Drawing on key findings from previous LIS literature, it explores what is needed to ensure the future viability of the profession in the GCC region so that it can help underpin social and economic development in these states. Examples of successful practice in LIS innovation from other parts of the developing world are included to demonstrate some possible approaches and the chapter concludes by summarizing some key points for consideration by LIS education specialists, library managers, and policymakers in the Gulf States.

scholarly journals Developing Countries Lag Behind the US and UK in Contributing to Institutional Repository Literature

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Heather L Coates
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Institutional Repository ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Prolific Authors

A Review of: Bhardwaj, R. K. (2014). Institutional repository literature: A bibliometric analysis. Science &Technology Libraries, 33(2), 185-202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0194262X.2014.906018 Abstract Objective – Quantify the IR literature across the world by identifying countries with relatively high concentration of articles, describing the distribution of the literature by language, author (institutional and individual), journal, and examining characteristics such as the transformative activity index, and authorship and citation patterns. Design – This exploratory study of the literature used several bibliometric research methods to describe patterns and identify highly represented articles, authors, institutions, and journals. Setting – The Library and Information Science Abstracts database. Subjects – 436 articles from 118 journals. Methods – Research articles and review papers published through December 31, 2012, were identified by searching Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA). Citation data for the 436 articles selected was gathered from LISA and Scopus. Main Results – The 436 articles from 118 journals had publication dates from 2001 through 2012, originated from 68 countries in 19 languages, and had authors affiliated with 159 institutions. The greatest number of institutional repository articles were published in 2011 while year-to-year growth was greatest from 2005-2006. Most highly represented were the United States and the United Kingdom, followed by India, Australia, and Spain. Twenty publishers were responsible for nearly half of the selected articles. The top four journals included OCLC Systems & Services, D-Lib Magazine, Serials Review, and Library Hi Tech. D-Lib Magazine alone published seven of the top 20 most cited articles. While most articles were written by a single author, the majority of the multiple author articles came from developed countries. Citation analysis reveals that the 436 articles were cited 2,071 times, for an average of 4.8 citations per article. However, 147 articles received no citations. The five most prolific authors were Elizabeth Yakel, Kim Jihyun, Karen Markey, Jingfeng Xia, and Sarika Sawant. Conclusion – The author concludes that developing countries lag behind in establishing and publishing on institutional repositories and suggests that more authors will deposit in IR in the future. A proposed role for LIS professionals is to communicate the objectives, values, and principles behind institutional repositories.

Mark Hepworth: in memoriam

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-260
Author(s):  
Thomas Jackson ◽  
Peter Willett
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
In Memoriam

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to honour the contributions of Mark Hepworth to library and information science (LIS). Design/methodology/approach The personal views of the two authors, both of whom knew Hepworth for many years. Findings The significance of Hepworth’s research in LIS, in particular to studies of information behaviour and information literacy. Originality/value Demonstrates the community’s appreciation of Hepworth’s contributions to the discipline.

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