{"id":{"repo_id":"rgu","oai_identifier":"oai:rgu-repository.worktribe.com:2807475"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/rgu/oai:rgu-repository.worktribe.com:2807475","repository":{"repo_id":"rgu","name":"Robert Gordon University","base_url":"https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/oaiprovider"},"display":{"title":"User information need, information seeking behaviour and information service provision in the context of citizenship and business activities.","abstract":"This thesis critically reviews the research undertaken by the candidate in the field of information need, information seeking behaviour and information service provision in the context of citizenship and business activities. The research undertaken by the candidate has progressed over the past five years in its theoretical underpinning and the quality and critical thoughtfulness of its design. A necessarily selective review of the publications of influential theorists and researchers is provided in a summative form. The first project undertaken by the candidate investigated business information needs and patterns of information seeking behaviour. The project developed from earlier research into business information service, via a survey by questionnaire and interviews with a sample of businesses. The results revealed priorities and perceived significance of categories of information and of information agencies. There were important conclusions for service providers, in service development and use of new technologies. A subsequent project investigated public library users' European information needs. A mix of questionnaire and observation was employed. There had been no related previous research and the results revealed new data on primary need, the variety of contexts of information use and barriers to information. A very significant contribution to the field relates to the candidate's holistic investigation of the nature and use of citizenship information, its contribution to the individual's capacity to prosper and survive, the ways in which access to information may aid the democratic process and encourage participation, the impact of ICTs and the dangers of exclusion. Methodologies included surveys by questionnaire and doorstep interview, and focus group discussions with opinion leaders. Results were felt to be both representative and revealing of patterns of information seeking and the nature of need. The project generated a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals and a conference paper, critically reviewing theoretical and methodological approaches to researching information seeking behaviour. Most of the projects with which the candidate has been involved have also investigated the quality of information service provision. The earliest work undertaken by the candidate used an unobtrusive method of service evaluation. This is an objective and effective measurement of service quality, as the services investigated are not aware that they are being tested and expert testers have the subject skills to audit results. Subsequent studies have focused on gathering data from service providers in the complementary use of questionnaires and in-depth case studies, where a range of data collection tools was employed to achieve triangulation in the development of a holistic picture of service provision from a range of perspectives (including that of the user). A number of studies carried out by the candidate have sought to explore the quality of educational experience for those involved in both formal educational programmes and professional qualification programmes in information and library studies, via, for example, a survey of former students. Another paper focused upon the way in which courses are designed and evolve, providing a mature reflection on the attainment of quality in course provision. The candidate has also been involved in a funded study into factors affecting successful attainment of professional qualifications. The review concludes by examining the theories that have emerged from the candidate’s research.","abstract_html":"This thesis critically reviews the research undertaken by the candidate in the field of information need, information seeking behaviour and information service provision in the context of citizenship and business activities. The research undertaken by the candidate has progressed over the past five years in its theoretical underpinning and the quality and critical thoughtfulness of its design. A necessarily selective review of the publications of influential theorists and researchers is provided in a summative form. The first project undertaken by the candidate investigated business information needs and patterns of information seeking behaviour. The project developed from earlier research into business information service, via a survey by questionnaire and interviews with a sample of businesses. The results revealed priorities and perceived significance of categories of information and of information agencies. There were important conclusions for service providers, in service development and use of new technologies. A subsequent project investigated public library users' European information needs. A mix of questionnaire and observation was employed. There had been no related previous research and the results revealed new data on primary need, the variety of contexts of information use and barriers to information. A very significant contribution to the field relates to the candidate's holistic investigation of the nature and use of citizenship information, its contribution to the individual's capacity to prosper and survive, the ways in which access to information may aid the democratic process and encourage participation, the impact of ICTs and the dangers of exclusion. Methodologies included surveys by questionnaire and doorstep interview, and focus group discussions with opinion leaders. Results were felt to be both representative and revealing of patterns of information seeking and the nature of need. The project generated a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals and a conference paper, critically reviewing theoretical and methodological approaches to researching information seeking behaviour. Most of the projects with which the candidate has been involved have also investigated the quality of information service provision. The earliest work undertaken by the candidate used an unobtrusive method of service evaluation. This is an objective and effective measurement of service quality, as the services investigated are not aware that they are being tested and expert testers have the subject skills to audit results. Subsequent studies have focused on gathering data from service providers in the complementary use of questionnaires and in-depth case studies, where a range of data collection tools was employed to achieve triangulation in the development of a holistic picture of service provision from a range of perspectives (including that of the user). A number of studies carried out by the candidate have sought to explore the quality of educational experience for those involved in both formal educational programmes and professional qualification programmes in information and library studies, via, for example, a survey of former students. Another paper focused upon the way in which courses are designed and evolve, providing a mature reflection on the attainment of quality in course provision. The candidate has also been involved in a funded study into factors affecting successful attainment of professional qualifications. The review concludes by examining the theories that have emerged from the candidate’s research.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Marcella, Rita"],"institution":"Robert Gordon University","degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["H. 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The research undertaken by the candidate has progressed over the past five years in its theoretical underpinning and the quality and critical thoughtfulness of its design. A necessarily selective review of the publications of influential theorists and researchers is provided in a summative form. The first project undertaken by the candidate investigated business information needs and patterns of information seeking behaviour. The project developed from earlier research into business information service, via a survey by questionnaire and interviews with a sample of businesses. The results revealed priorities and perceived significance of categories of information and of information agencies. There were important conclusions for service providers, in service development and use of new technologies. A subsequent project investigated public library users' European information needs. A mix of questionnaire and observation was employed. There had been no related previous research and the results revealed new data on primary need, the variety of contexts of information use and barriers to information. A very significant contribution to the field relates to the candidate's holistic investigation of the nature and use of citizenship information, its contribution to the individual's capacity to prosper and survive, the ways in which access to information may aid the democratic process and encourage participation, the impact of ICTs and the dangers of exclusion. Methodologies included surveys by questionnaire and doorstep interview, and focus group discussions with opinion leaders. Results were felt to be both representative and revealing of patterns of information seeking and the nature of need. The project generated a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals and a conference paper, critically reviewing theoretical and methodological approaches to researching information seeking behaviour. Most of the projects with which the candidate has been involved have also investigated the quality of information service provision. The earliest work undertaken by the candidate used an unobtrusive method of service evaluation. This is an objective and effective measurement of service quality, as the services investigated are not aware that they are being tested and expert testers have the subject skills to audit results. Subsequent studies have focused on gathering data from service providers in the complementary use of questionnaires and in-depth case studies, where a range of data collection tools was employed to achieve triangulation in the development of a holistic picture of service provision from a range of perspectives (including that of the user). A number of studies carried out by the candidate have sought to explore the quality of educational experience for those involved in both formal educational programmes and professional qualification programmes in information and library studies, via, for example, a survey of former students. Another paper focused upon the way in which courses are designed and evolve, providing a mature reflection on the attainment of quality in course provision. The candidate has also been involved in a funded study into factors affecting successful attainment of professional qualifications. The review concludes by examining the theories that have emerged from the candidate’s research."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["User information need, information seeking behaviour and information service provision in the context of citizenship and business activities."]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["H. Ellington"],"dc:contributor.sponsor":["No Funder Acknowledged (Outputs)"],"dc:creator":["Marcella, Rita"],"dc:creator.authoridentifier":["0000-0003-0069-3516"],"dc:date":["2001-01-31"],"dc:date.issued":["2001"],"dc:description.abstract":["This thesis critically reviews the research undertaken by the candidate in the field of information need, information seeking behaviour and information service provision in the context of citizenship and business activities. The research undertaken by the candidate has progressed over the past five years in its theoretical underpinning and the quality and critical thoughtfulness of its design. A necessarily selective review of the publications of influential theorists and researchers is provided in a summative form. The first project undertaken by the candidate investigated business information needs and patterns of information seeking behaviour. The project developed from earlier research into business information service, via a survey by questionnaire and interviews with a sample of businesses. The results revealed priorities and perceived significance of categories of information and of information agencies. There were important conclusions for service providers, in service development and use of new technologies. A subsequent project investigated public library users' European information needs. A mix of questionnaire and observation was employed. There had been no related previous research and the results revealed new data on primary need, the variety of contexts of information use and barriers to information. A very significant contribution to the field relates to the candidate's holistic investigation of the nature and use of citizenship information, its contribution to the individual's capacity to prosper and survive, the ways in which access to information may aid the democratic process and encourage participation, the impact of ICTs and the dangers of exclusion. Methodologies included surveys by questionnaire and doorstep interview, and focus group discussions with opinion leaders. Results were felt to be both representative and revealing of patterns of information seeking and the nature of need. The project generated a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals and a conference paper, critically reviewing theoretical and methodological approaches to researching information seeking behaviour. Most of the projects with which the candidate has been involved have also investigated the quality of information service provision. The earliest work undertaken by the candidate used an unobtrusive method of service evaluation. This is an objective and effective measurement of service quality, as the services investigated are not aware that they are being tested and expert testers have the subject skills to audit results. Subsequent studies have focused on gathering data from service providers in the complementary use of questionnaires and in-depth case studies, where a range of data collection tools was employed to achieve triangulation in the development of a holistic picture of service provision from a range of perspectives (including that of the user). A number of studies carried out by the candidate have sought to explore the quality of educational experience for those involved in both formal educational programmes and professional qualification programmes in information and library studies, via, for example, a survey of former students. Another paper focused upon the way in which courses are designed and evolve, providing a mature reflection on the attainment of quality in course provision. The candidate has also been involved in a funded study into factors affecting successful attainment of professional qualifications. 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