An observational study of the information seeking behaviour of Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom

Abstract

This paper describes the results of an observational study of the information seeking behaviour of Members of Parliament. It is argued that political life functions on a flow of information and that information itself is a prime resource. The study sought to determine the characteristics that impact upon the manner in which information is sourced and used by parliamentarians. For this project a shadowing methodology was adopted. The conclusions drawn include that UK Members of Parliament are subject to a range of triggers of information seeking, in an information rich environment where the amount of information presents decision makers with difficulties. Public accountability results in demands from a wide variety of individuals, groups and associations. MPs are also expected to be knowledgeable about a wide variety of issues, while information need is frequently unpredictable and reactive. Members must be efficient information gatherers and managers and they must be flexible in their attitudes to information seeking, while retaining the capacity to critically appraise the quality of sources.

Studying actions in context: a qualitative shadowing method for organizational research

“…Although it has a limited presence in the management literature, (Bonazzi, 1998;Perlow, 1998;Perlow, 1999), shadowing is being adopted by other vocational disciplines such as education (Polite, McClure & Rollie, 1997), social work (Stanley et al, 1998), information studies (Orton, Marcella & Baxter 2000;Hirsh, 1999) and nursing (Vukic and Keddy, 2002). A number of the studies reviewed here have made use shadowing as one of a number of research methods.…”

Capacity Building of Parliamentarians: Problems and Perspectives in Lithuania

“…In addition to their constituent duties, many are engaged in negotiation, issue analysis, policy development and office management (Coghill et al, 2008a). The theoretical logic found in this field suggests the existence of a positive relationship between training parliamentarians and improvement in the performances of their respective parliaments (Orton, Marcella and Baxter, 2000). Consistent with these approaches, recent studies (Stapenhurst, 2004) indicate that training in parliaments can improve performances at both individual level of certain member of parliament and the level of parliament as the organization.…”

Information-rich, but time-poor

“…Research on parliamentarians demonstrates a work situation where they continually have to familiarise themselves with new aspects of society but where their attitude towards information acquisition is reactive most of the time. Orton et al (2000) describes politicians' needs for information as "incessant and relentless", unpredictable and always changing.…”