Community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment: bridging research and practice
<br><b>Introduction.</b> This article results from a qualitative study of 1) information behavior in community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment and 2) approaches used by a best-practice library to anticipate information needs associated with comm...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Borås
2006-01-01
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| Series: | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://informationr.net/ir/11-4/paper262.html |
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| _version_ | 1832573458737790976 |
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| author | Joan C. Durrance Maria Souden Dana Walker Karen E. Fisher |
| author_facet | Joan C. Durrance Maria Souden Dana Walker Karen E. Fisher |
| author_sort | Joan C. Durrance |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <br><b>Introduction.</b> This article results from a qualitative study of 1) information behavior in community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment and 2) approaches used by a best-practice library to anticipate information needs associated with community problem solving. <br><b>Method.</b> Several approaches to data collection were used - focus groups, interviews, observation of community and library meetings, and analysis of supporting documents. We focused first on the information behaviour of community groups. Finding that the library supported these activities we sought to understand its approach. <br><b>Analysis.</b> Data were coded thematically for both information behaviour concepts and themes germane to problem-solving activity. A grounded theory approach was taken to capture aspects of the library staff's practice. Themes evolved from the data; supporting documentation - reports, articles and library communication - was also coded. <br><b>Results.</b> The study showed 1) how information use environment components (people, setting, problems, problem resolutions) combine in this distributed information use environment to determine specific information needs and uses; and 2) how the library contributed to the viability of this distributed information use environment. <br><b>Conclusion.</b> Community problem solving, here explicated as a distributed IUE, is likely to be seen in multiple communities. The library model presented demonstrates that by reshaping its information practice within the framework of an information use environment, a library can anticipate community information needs as they are generated and where they are most relevant. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-03f9d8dd194a4cada596a6d2ffeaee66 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1368-1613 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2006-01-01 |
| publisher | University of Borås |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-03f9d8dd194a4cada596a6d2ffeaee662025-02-02T03:50:20ZengUniversity of BoråsInformation Research: An International Electronic Journal1368-16132006-01-01114262Community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment: bridging research and practiceJoan C. DurranceMaria SoudenDana WalkerKaren E. Fisher<br><b>Introduction.</b> This article results from a qualitative study of 1) information behavior in community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment and 2) approaches used by a best-practice library to anticipate information needs associated with community problem solving. <br><b>Method.</b> Several approaches to data collection were used - focus groups, interviews, observation of community and library meetings, and analysis of supporting documents. We focused first on the information behaviour of community groups. Finding that the library supported these activities we sought to understand its approach. <br><b>Analysis.</b> Data were coded thematically for both information behaviour concepts and themes germane to problem-solving activity. A grounded theory approach was taken to capture aspects of the library staff's practice. Themes evolved from the data; supporting documentation - reports, articles and library communication - was also coded. <br><b>Results.</b> The study showed 1) how information use environment components (people, setting, problems, problem resolutions) combine in this distributed information use environment to determine specific information needs and uses; and 2) how the library contributed to the viability of this distributed information use environment. <br><b>Conclusion.</b> Community problem solving, here explicated as a distributed IUE, is likely to be seen in multiple communities. The library model presented demonstrates that by reshaping its information practice within the framework of an information use environment, a library can anticipate community information needs as they are generated and where they are most relevant.http://informationr.net/ir/11-4/paper262.htmlThis article results from a qualitative study of 1) information behavior in community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment and 2) approaches used by a best-practice library to anticipate information needs associated with community problem solving. |
| spellingShingle | Joan C. Durrance Maria Souden Dana Walker Karen E. Fisher Community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment: bridging research and practice Information Research: An International Electronic Journal This article results from a qualitative study of 1) information behavior in community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment and 2) approaches used by a best-practice library to anticipate information needs associated with community problem solving. |
| title | Community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment: bridging research and practice |
| title_full | Community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment: bridging research and practice |
| title_fullStr | Community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment: bridging research and practice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment: bridging research and practice |
| title_short | Community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment: bridging research and practice |
| title_sort | community problem solving framed as a distributed information use environment bridging research and practice |
| topic | This article results from a qualitative study of 1) information behavior in community problem-solving framed as a distributed information use environment and 2) approaches used by a best-practice library to anticipate information needs associated with community problem solving. |
| url | http://informationr.net/ir/11-4/paper262.html |
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