scholarly journals A Survey of the Information Needs of Four Professional Occupational Groups and a Survey of New Special Libraries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Helen Margaret Stephen-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
General Information ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
User Survey ◽  
Personal Interview ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Professional Body ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
Tangible Benefit

<p>This thesis consists of two surveys. The first attempts to identify the information needs of accountants, consulting engineers, lawyers and pharmacists in an effort to provide direction for the development of library and information services to those professions. A personal interview survey was conducted among a random sample of practitioners from each profession in the Wellington district. It was concluded that all four professions need continuing education opportunities to assist them to obtain improved access to both professional and general information. This need has arisen in part because librarians have not adequately marketed their services. It was further concluded that co-operation from each professional body, practitioners, society as a whole, and librarians is needed so that information centres to meet the needs of practitioners can be established. The second survey attempts to establish a methodology that can be used by librarians of special libraries in the conduct of user surveys which will provide them with evidence of the effect of their services. It also attempts to demonstrate the benefits found by staff in firms where special librarian positions had been established for less than five years. Self-completed questionnaires were distributed to professional staff in six Wellington firms. It was concluded that there are some basic patterns common to the development of new special libraries, and that the employment of a librarian can be of tangible benefit to a firm. Guidelines for those setting up new special libraries are suggested. It is further concluded that application of the user survey methodology established in this thesis would assist librarians of special libraries to assess their existing services, and to change emphases where necessary to meet expressed needs. It is also shown that librarians need to market their services, and understand their role in educating staff to exercise their individual and collective responsibilities as part of a firm's network of information resources.</p>

scholarly journals A Survey of the Information Needs of Four Professional Occupational Groups and a Survey of New Special Libraries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Helen Margaret Stephen-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
General Information ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
User Survey ◽  
Personal Interview ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Professional Body ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
Tangible Benefit

<p>This thesis consists of two surveys. The first attempts to identify the information needs of accountants, consulting engineers, lawyers and pharmacists in an effort to provide direction for the development of library and information services to those professions. A personal interview survey was conducted among a random sample of practitioners from each profession in the Wellington district. It was concluded that all four professions need continuing education opportunities to assist them to obtain improved access to both professional and general information. This need has arisen in part because librarians have not adequately marketed their services. It was further concluded that co-operation from each professional body, practitioners, society as a whole, and librarians is needed so that information centres to meet the needs of practitioners can be established. The second survey attempts to establish a methodology that can be used by librarians of special libraries in the conduct of user surveys which will provide them with evidence of the effect of their services. It also attempts to demonstrate the benefits found by staff in firms where special librarian positions had been established for less than five years. Self-completed questionnaires were distributed to professional staff in six Wellington firms. It was concluded that there are some basic patterns common to the development of new special libraries, and that the employment of a librarian can be of tangible benefit to a firm. Guidelines for those setting up new special libraries are suggested. It is further concluded that application of the user survey methodology established in this thesis would assist librarians of special libraries to assess their existing services, and to change emphases where necessary to meet expressed needs. It is also shown that librarians need to market their services, and understand their role in educating staff to exercise their individual and collective responsibilities as part of a firm's network of information resources.</p>

scholarly journals Consumer Choices in the Bread Market: The Importance of Fiber in Consumer Decisions

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Marta Sajdakowska ◽  
Jerzy Gębski ◽  
Marzena Jeżewska-Zychowicz ◽  
Maria Królak
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
White Bread ◽  
Food Label ◽  
Clustering Method ◽  
Personal Interview ◽  
Cereal Products ◽  
Consumer Decisions ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
Education And Development

The aim of the current study was two-fold: (1) to identify consumer segments based on bread selection motives and (2) to examine differences between the identified segments in terms of perception of bread and bread with added fiber, and information on the food label. The data were collected using a CAPI (computer-assisted personal interview) survey on a sample of 1013 consumers. The k-means clustering method was used to identify four clusters of consumers, namely, Enthusiastic, Involved, Ultra-Involved, and Neutral. The Enthusiastic was the group that expressed the most positive opinions about the bread and about the addition of fiber to white bread. Moreover, they appreciated the most the information placed on the bread label. On the other hand, the Ultra-Involved and the Involved presented moderate opinions on these issues. In contrast, the consumers from the Neutral segment agreed the least with the opinion that white bread fortified with fiber is healthier and more expensive compared to white bread without added fiber. Consumers belonging to the Enthusiastic segment declared, to a greater extent than others, that cereal products with added fiber facilitate a healthy lifestyle and can reduce the adverse effects of an inadequate diet. The obtained results indicated that relatively positive opinions on the addition of fiber to white bread, including its benefits for health, are an opportunity to further develop the market of cereal products with added fiber. However, the information about bread on the label and its readability should meet the expectations of consumers who differ significantly in terms of their motives for choice. Both now and in the future, this aspect will be a challenge for food entrepreneurs and organizations that are engaged in the education and development of information aimed at consumers.

Providing high quality information about human papillomavirus for women after treatment for high-grade cervical dysplasia

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Dyson ◽  
Marian Pitts ◽  
Anthony Lyons ◽  
Robyn Mullins
Keyword(s):  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Cervical Dysplasia ◽  
Pap Test ◽  
Intraepithelial Neoplasia ◽  
General Information ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Hpv Testing

Background: The present study aimed to inform the production of a resource for women who have had a high-grade cervical abnormality and are scheduled to undergo testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) at their 12-month follow-up. Methods: Two rounds of semi-structured, qualitative interviews were held with women who were attending a gynaecological oncology clinic at a major teaching hospital for women in Melbourne, Australia, 6 months after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to receive a follow-up Pap test and colposcopy. In an initial round of interviews, we gauged the reactions of 16 women to an existing information brochure containing general information about HPV. Based on the findings from the interviews, a second brochure aimed specifically for women scheduled to undergo HPV testing as part of their post treatment follow-up was drafted. Feedback was then gathered from a further 12 women. Results: While all participants had received some information and counselling about HPV and HPV testing as part of their treatment, many still experienced high levels of stress and anxiety about cancer and the sexually transmissible nature of HPV. Many also still had unanswered questions about HPV, their treatment regime and future prognosis. Conclusion: For a brochure to provide an effective adjunct to counselling, it is essential that it is carefully developed and pilot tested to ensure that it is easily understood and meets the information needs of the target audience. Such materials need to provide both medical and psychosocial information about HPV and be presented in accessible, easy to understand language.

scholarly journals University Professional and Managerial Staff: Information Needs and Seeking

1997 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 561-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janie L. Hassard Wilkins ◽  
Gloria J. Leckie
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Report Writing ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Library Use ◽  
Managerial Staff

This study examines the work-related information needed and sought by professional and managerial staff of a large university. Through personal contacts, the Internet, and departmental sources, professional staff are able to readily satisfy many of their daily and short-term work-related information needs with minimal use of the library. However, because their jobs are multifaceted and complex, these staff members frequently are engaged in longer-term activities (such as project development, report writing) requiring more intensive library use, which often is perceived to be frustrating and time-consuming. The implications of these findings for academic libraries are discussed.

Evaluation of information needs of agricultural extension agents in Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 463-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Sam ◽  
Simon K. Osei ◽  
Lucy P. Dzandu ◽  
Kirchuffs Atengble
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Information Infrastructure ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Inadequate Information ◽  
The Right

The agricultural sector plays a decisive role in Ghana’s economy, employment, and food security. The study set out to assess the information needs of agricultural extension agents across all the agro-ecological zones of Ghana, in order to provide them with the right information. A structured field survey methodology was used for the study and 472 agricultural extension agents from 40 districts in Ghana served as the respondents. The findings of the study revealed that agricultural extension agents regularly sourced for information from books and reports; visual or pictorial information was the most preferred format for package of information. The AEAs used agricultural extension information to assist in the discharge of their work, and as a basis for advice to farmers on general farm planning and consultancy among others. Challenges identified in accessing information included inadequate information infrastructure and training avenues. The AEAs suggested that critical information infrastructure such as libraries, information centers, and databases be provided as measures to offset the challenges. The study recommended that efforts should be directed at improving extension agents’ access to information infrastructure and that different and wide-ranging media should be developed to supply information to the AEAs.

Global Manufacturing and Local Linkage in Singapore

1998 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 1603-1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Perry ◽  
Tan Boon Hui
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Multinational Corporation ◽  
Postal Survey ◽  
Information Flows ◽  
Personal Interview ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
Manufacturing Activity ◽  
Interview Survey

New approaches to the management of subcontracting relations are interpreted as indicating a shift from adversarial to cooperative linkages. This shift is thought to encourage greater use of external suppliers and to encourage localisation of buyers and suppliers. These propositions are examined through a case study of linkage development in Singapore, a major centre of multinational manufacturing activity. The case study draws on evidence from a sample of participants in a scheme promoted by Singapore's Economic Development Board known as the Local Industry Upgrading Programme (LIUP), which has aimed to promote linkage development. The paper reports two surveys of participants in LIUP: (1) a postal survey of buyers (mainly made up of foreign multinationals as well as a few Singapore organisations) and subcontractors; and (2) a personal interview survey with representatives of twenty-two buyer organisations. The analysis, partly presented through brief case studies of individual organisations, shows how variable strategies affecting subcontracting linkages are evolving. Increased information flows between firms are found to be well established but a low priority to linkage localisation is discovered. These findings are interpreted in terms of MNC (multinational corporation) strategies to retain flexibility in subcontractor selection and their increased capabilities to manage spatially dispersed supply linkages.

scholarly journals Consumer Choices in the Pasta Market: The Importance of Fiber in Consumer Decisions

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2931
Author(s):  
Marta Sajdakowska ◽  
Jerzy Gębski ◽  
Marzena Jeżewska-Zychowicz ◽  
Maria Jeznach ◽  
Małgorzata Kosicka-Gębska
Keyword(s):  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Food Label ◽  
Clustering Method ◽  
Personal Interview ◽  
Consumer Decisions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Consumer Choices ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
Targeted Marketing ◽  
Marketing Messages

The aim of the current study was two-fold: (1) to identify consumer segments based on pasta selection motives and (2) to examine the differences between the identified segments in terms of perception of pasta and pasta with added fiber and information on the food label. The data were collected using a CAPI (computer-assisted personal interview) survey on a sample of 1013 consumers. The k-means clustering method was used to identify four clusters of consumers, namely, quality-oriented, sensory-oriented, convenience-oriented, and neutral consumers. The quality-oriented group was the group that expressed the most positive opinions about the pasta and about the addition of fiber to pasta. Moreover, they appreciated the information placed on the pasta label the most. Consumers in the sensory-oriented segment were the least likely to agree that the addition of fiber to pasta deteriorated its taste and to agree that it looked worse compared to pasta without fiber. These findings are of significance for those involved in the public nutrition sector as well as for those responsible for preparing well-targeted marketing messages. The conclusions may constitute invaluable insights for those devising educational initiatives and campaigns.

International Students’ Information Needs and Seeking Behaviours throughout the Settlement Stages

Libri ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
JungWon Yoon ◽  
EunKyung Chung
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
International Students ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Academic Goals ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
Students Success

AbstractFor international students who need to settle down to new environments, the information they use in their everyday life plays an important role. This study is aimed at understanding international students’ information needs and information-seeking behaviours within their campus and everyday life, throughout the settlement stages. An interview survey, which asked about international students’ information behaviours for critical incidents during three settlement stages, was conducted. At the pre-arrival and settlement stages, most of the international students’ information needs were related to their daily rather than their academic or campus life, and people (relatives/friends) in the United States and the Internet were their main sources of information. As they began to settle down, their information needs and sources of information became diverse; social media use was especially noticeable after they settled down. At the pre-arrival stage, their information needs were broad, and their satisfaction with Internet search experiences was relatively low. However, as they settled down in the United States, their information needs became specific, and they felt more confident with search experiences. In order to support international students’ success in meeting academic goals, it seems that it is necessary to provide them with everyday life information that could help them settle down and adjust to a new country.

scholarly journals What Should Clinicians Tell Patients about Placebo and Nocebo Effects? Practical Considerations Based on Expert Consensus

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Andrea W.M. Evers ◽  
Luana Colloca ◽  
Charlotte Blease ◽  
Jens Gaab ◽  
Karin B. Jensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
General Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Expert Meeting ◽  
Nocebo Effects ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
Training Modules

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Clinical and laboratory studies demonstrate that placebo and nocebo effects influence various symptoms and conditions after the administration of both inert and active treatments. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> There is an increasing need for up-to-date recommendations on how to inform patients about placebo and nocebo effects in clinical practice and train clinicians how to disclose this information. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Based on previous clinical recommendations concerning placebo and nocebo effects, a 3-step, invitation-only Delphi study was conducted among an interdisciplinary group of internationally recognized experts. The study consisted of open- and closed-ended survey questions followed by a final expert meeting. The surveys were subdivided into 3 parts: (1) informing patients about placebo effects, (2) informing patients about nocebo effects, and (3) training clinicians how to communicate this information to the patients. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There was consensus that communicating general information about placebo and nocebo effects to patients (e.g., explaining their role in treatment) could be beneficial, but that such information needs to be adjusted to match the specific clinical context (e.g., condition and treatment). Experts also agreed that training clinicians to communicate about placebo and nocebo effects should be a regular and integrated part of medical education that makes use of multiple formats, including face-to-face and online modalities. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The current 3-step Delphi study provides consensus-based recommendations and practical considerations for disclosures about placebo and nocebo effects in clinical practice. Future research is needed on how to optimally tailor information to specific clinical conditions and patients’ needs, and on developing standardized disclosure training modules for clinicians.

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