Search (9 results, page 1 of 1)

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Abstract

The Citizenship Information project investigates an area of growing significance and concern to public libraries in information service provision. Citizenship information and the role of information in helping the public to participate in the democratic process, in particular via electronic democracy, are at present highly significant issues, both for the information profession and for those involved in political life. Although there has been much comment on these and related concepts, there has been no attempt to gather evidence (positive or negative) as to the general public's interest in and need for citizenship information. Indeed, part of the project involved the attempt to achieve a better definition of citizenship information both in terms of the subject categories which it subsumes and of the respondents' perceptions of the kinds of information that might be connoted by the term. The researchers did not want to impose a definition on respondents but rather to develop and formalise one that would emerge from the data collected. This project seeks to investigate the extent to which members of the public in the UK have expressed or unexpressed needs for citizenship information, and to explore their preferred routes to the acquisition of such information. The project constitutes a piece of basic research, which would have implications for a range of information service providers. This paper reviews the theoretical and methodological approaches.

Date

22. 3.2002 8:53:04

Type

a

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Abstract

This paper reports the results of a survey of information needs and information seeking behaviour of a national sample of the UK population. The project was funded by the BLR&IC and comprised a survey by questionnaire covering all regions of the United Kingdom. 1.294 responses were received giving a valid and demographically respresentative response rate of 45,7%. Major findings include: that the majority of respondents had sought information in the past (59,4%) and that an even greater number predicted a future need for information (78,4%). Over three quarters of respondents said that they would use public libraries and between half and three quarters would approach CABx, post offices, government departments or family and friends. Face to face communicationss and reading a book were the most popular means of accessing information but a wide variety of other preferred options were cited. Only a small proportion expressed a preference for using a computer to seek information and there was a clear emphasis on public libraries as an appropriate location for accessing computerised information. A highly significant majority (79,2%) believed that access to information was very important for exercising their rights as citizens. Many significant variables, in terms of age, gender, status and region were found. In particular it was felt significant that young people were less sure of the importance of being able to access information

Type

a

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Abstract

This paper reports the results of a survey of information needs and information seeking behaviour of a national sample of the UK population. The survey was the first stage of the Citizenship Information project, funded by the British Library Research and Innovation Centre. In total, 1294 responses were received giving a valid and demographically representative response rate of 45.7 per cent. Major findings include: that the majority of respondents had sought information in the past (59.4 per cent) and that an even greater number predicted a future need for information (78.4 per cent). Over three quarters of respondents said that they would use public libraries and between half and three quarters would approach Citizens Advice Bureaux, Post Offices, Government departments or family and friends. Face-to-face communications and reading a book were the most popular means of accessing information, but a wide variety of other preferred options were cited. Only a small proportion expressed a preference for using a computer to seek information, and there was a clear emphasis on public libraries as an appropriate location for accessing electronic information. A highly significant majority (79.2 per cent) believed that access to information was very important for exercising their rights as a citizen.

Type

a

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Abstract

This paper reports the results of the second stage of the Citizenship Information research project funded by the BLR&IC: a national survey, by personal doorstep interview, of the citizenship information needs of 898 members of the UK public. Major findings include: that the public obtain most of their information on current issues via the media, and that they generally feel well informed on these issues. The public believe, however, that government is not doing enough to inform them about the Single European Currency and local council cutbacks. Small proportions of the sample had encountered problems in relation to employment, education, housing or welfare benefits and had consulted a range of information sources in order to solve these problems. Over a quarter of respondents had experienced disadvantage through a lack of access to information. Significant proportions of respondents were poorly informed about legal rights, welfare benefits and local politics. A highly significant majority (91.7%) believed that freedom of information was important for exercising their rights as citizens. Although access to computers in the home is presently limited, the majority of respondents indicated a willingness to use computers to vote and interact with government. Public libraries were the preferred source of government information and were seen as appropriate locations for a range of other types of citizenship information.

Type

a

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Abstract

This paper reports the results of the second stage of the Citizenship Information research project funded by the BLR&IC: a nation-wide survey, by personal doorstep interview, of the citizenship information needs of almost 900 members of the UK public. Major findings include: that the public obtain most of their information on current issues via the mass media, and that they generally feel well informed on these issues. The public feel, however, that government is not doing enough to inform them on European Monetary Union and on local government cutbacks. Small proportions of the sample had encountered problems concerning employment, education, housing or welfare benefits, and had consulted a range of information sources in order to overcome these problems. Over a quarter of respondents had experienced disadvantage through a lack of access to information. The majority of respondents felt well informed about areas relating to citizenship, but significant proportions were poorly informed in legal rights, welfare benefits and local politics. A highly significant majority (91.7 per cent) believed that freedom of information was important for exercising their rights as citizens. Respondents tended to overestimate their voting patterns, but there was little evidence of participation in other forms of political activity. Although access to computers in the home is presently limited, the majority of respondents would use computers to vote, convey opinions to government and obtain government information. Public libraries were the preferred source of government information, and were seen as appropriate locations for a range of other types of citizenship information.

Type

a

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Abstract

In the context of a new government in the UK, and moves towards a Bill of Rights and freedom of information, discusses the nature and extent of need for citizemship information, pointing out its similarity to community information. Considers UK government policy, including the non-statutory Code of Practice on Access to Government Information introduced by the previous Conservative administration in 1994. Examines evidence of the need for citizenship information and the case for its provision by public libraries. The authors are engaged on a research project to investigate the citizenship information needs of the general public and implications for UK public libraries, funded by the British Library Research and Innovation Centre

Type

a

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Abstract

Discusses the results of an unobtrusive test of Scottish public library reference services, carried out by students of the School of Librarianship, Robert Gordon University, which indicate that, despite a marginal improvement on previous surveys, there is still cause for concern about the quality of response to enquiries. Major problems found include: little attempt to investigate information need; poorly formulated search strategies; failure to exploit fully on site resources; and lack of evaluation of client satisfaction

Type

a

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Abstract

Reports on the 2nd of 2 studies using unobtrusive testing of public library reference services in Scotland by students at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. For this survey, a specific item of business information on a well known Scottish company was requested at various public libraries. Discusses the results of the survey under the following headings: physical location and setting of issue desk; staff attitude; response to the enquiry; reference interview; search strategy and execution; advice/information offered; and assessment of the quality of the information provided

Type

a

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Abstract

This paper discusses critically the theoretical and methodological background to an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) research project designed to investigate the impact of information and communications technologies (ICTs) on the communication of parliamentary and legislative information to the general public or citizen. It sets out the context of the study in terms of the changes in governance, resulting from devolution and, via a wide ranging literature review, describes the ways in which the authors' research approach has developed. The design of the project methodology, that of an interactive online interview executed via a roadshow, is also described.

Type

a