Information-seeking behavior and use of social science faculty studying stateless nations: a case study

Abstract

The information-seeking behavior of social science faculty studying the Kurds was assessed using a questionnaire, citation analysis, and follow-up inquiry. Two specific questions were addressed: how these faculty locate relevant government information and what factors influence their seeking behavior and use of such information. Results show that besides using traditional methods for locating relevant government information, social science faculty studying the Kurds use the World Wide Web (Web) and electronic mail (e-mail) for that purpose, suggesting that these faculty are aware of, and utilize, new information technology to support their research. Results also show that the information-seeking behavior of social science faculty studying the Kurds is influenced by factors similar to those influencing other social science faculty. Moreover, results also show that accessing the needed materials is a major information-seeking activity that should be added to David Ellis' behavioral model, and that faculty examined here employ somewhat a more elaborate``differentiating'' information-seeking activity than the one described in the model. Some elements of interdisciplinarity of Kurdish studies as a field of research have been discovered, however, further research is required to verify that. Implications for library services and suggestions for future research are presented. D

Patterns and Problems of Information Use in the Production of Articles by Academics in the Humanities and Social Sciences in Thailand

“…This result is noteworthy in that it is consistent with the results of many previous studies (Marouf & Anwar, 2010;Meho & Hass, 2001;Popoola, 2008;De Tiratel, 2000). Previous studies found that authors cited monographs and original sources (Meho & Hass, 2001;Rimmer, Warwick, Blandford, Gow, & Buchanan, 2006;Sherriff, 2010), along with abstracts and indexes, personal correspondence with colleagues, statistical documents, meeting documents, and textbooks (Popoola, 2008).…”

Information seeking behaviour of the professoriate in selected federal universities in southwest Nigeria

“…In 1995, in a study on information seeking among social science researchers, Folster (1995) noticed that the study participants had less regard for computer-based services, and preferred books and print journals. Later researchers however, have observed that social science faculty members make wide use of electronic information resources in their research, signifying the impact of information technology in their information behaviour (Shen 2007, Hannah 2005, Meho & Haas 2001, Costa & Meadows 2000. Most of the studies conducted in the social sciences and humanities during this period have similar patterns, showing an inclination towards electronic resources among faculty members.…”

“…In a similar study in a law faculty in Ghana, Aforo and Lamptey (2012) observed that faculty members use law reports, law journals and text to seek information, further reinforcing the reliance on print resources than electronic resources by those in the faculty. Meho and Haas (2001), in a study on the information seeking behaviour of social science faculty members studying stateless nations across countries of the USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey, showed that besides using traditional methods, social science professors use the World Wide Web and email for locating relevant information, suggesting that these faculty members are aware of and utilise new information technology to support their research. The participants of the study were six assistant professors, nine associate professors and five professors.…”

“…Focusing on the social sciences and the humanities in this paper is expected to provide an in-depth understanding of information behaviour of the professoriate from several fields of study (Al-Suqri 2011, Meho & Tibbo 2003, Meho & Haas 2001. The three Nigerian universities chosen for this study are the oldest in southwest Nigeria and are ranked in the top three universities by the Nigeria Universities Commission (2015).…”

Guidelines for government-to-government initiative architecture in developing countries

“…Sprecher (2000) considers e-government as a technology to simplify and mechanize transactions between governments and constituents, businesses, or other governments. Also, Meho and Haas (2001) believe that governments should employ new information technologies in order to locate their government information appropriately. Overall, because of the increasing importance of e-government, it is imperative to examine the application of e-government from a range of empirical and theoretical perspectives (Jaeger & Thompson, 2004).…”