Trust for health care professionals (interpersonal trust) and the health care system (institutional trust) is imperative for the performance of health care systems. However, at the same time, contemporary societies today are characterised by decreasing levels of trust and citizens today are increasingly inclined to seek health information from sources beyond health care professionals. Sociologists have argued that societal institutions, such as the health care system, are subject to individuals’ increasing mistrust, which has created a “critical distance” between lay citizens and modern medicine. In this critical distance, the health care system and its representatives are continually questioned why citizens’ trust for the medical institution can not be taken for granted. Because individuals living in the modern society are more inclined to take control over their health by engaging in health information seeking behaviour, the present study aims to examine whether there exists an association between interpersonal and institutional trust and differences in health information seeking behaviour. This study focuses on the Swedish context, where decreasing levels of trust for societal institutions - including the health care system, have been reported. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using data from European Social Survey (2004) was utilised to answer the research questions “Is the degree of trust for the health care system in Sweden associated with individuals' health information seeking behaviours?” and “Is the degree of trust for health care professionals in Sweden associated with individuals' health information seeking behaviours?”. The majority of the results from this study were not statistically significant, why the null hypothesis can not be ruled out. More recently collected data and more representative operationalisations of variables might generate more valid results. The study topic provides a potentially fruitful and valuable route for future scientific research, why it is considered important to further investigate whether mistrust for the healthcare system and its experts motivates individuals to consult alternative sources rather than health care professionals when seeking health information.

This dissertation reports on a study that investigated the functions and services that are rendered at the library of ARC-Small Grain Institute in Bethlehem. The study was directed by the research questions that included the investigation in library services and sources globally; the information seeking behaviour of the patrons of the library as well as the skills and competencies needed by librarians to render an effective service in a constant changing environment. These components served as a foundation for the development of a proposed service model, which reflects the incorporation of the changing roles of librarians in a research library. The current services and sources of the ARC-SGI library were discussed and compared to other libraries. A systematic review of the literature included the information seeking behaviour and information needs of researchers as well as the skills and competencies of librarians. A mixed-method approach, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, has been applied in the study. Data was collected through questionnaires and fifteen semi-structured interviews were held with selected patrons of ARC-SGI. The findings showed that information needs depends mostly on the different stages of research and flows directly from the type of work that they do. Attention was given to preferred source choices and problems experienced during information seeking. Training needs were addressed as well as the needs for additional information needed from the library. Based on the results, the study proposed a service model for an agricultural library. The model displays the library within the setting of an organisation as it supports the mission and vision of the parent organisation. It illustrates all the interdependent components that are essential for a successful agricultural library. The model also outlines the strategies of on-going evaluation and monitoring of the library services; the information needs and information seeking behaviour of the patrons as well as the challenges facing the library. The study concluded by making certain recommendations that can benefit the library of ARC-SGI, which will be an improvement added to the current services. A few suggestions are made for future research, which have definite advantages for an agricultural library within an organisation. / Dissertation (MIS)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Information Science / unrestricted

To add to the understanding of the COVID-19 information landscape, the aim of this thesis was to investigate the information seeking behaviours of Swedish gymnasium students regarding the vaccination against COVID-19. The theoretical framework used to guide this study was based on  active and passive information seeking behaviour as defined by Bates (2002), and information avoidance as defined by Narayan et al. (2011). Within this context, relevant elements of the concepts of trust and decision were included as well, to see how they feature within the overall information seeking behaviour. This thesis implemented a mixed method approach to reach the aim, which was executed through an online survey for quantitative data, and semi-structured interviews for qualitative data. An analytical framework was also established to guide the study from the chosen variables to relevant research and finally for the analysis of results. The results showed that all three directions of seeking behaviour were present among the demographic but differed in execution and purpose. Passive seeking was the behaviour that occurred most often and had the strongest relation to trust and decision. A high trust in authorities, based on passive information received, combined with equally high trust in oneself proved crucial within the understanding of the information seeking behaviour regarding the topic. Information avoidance did hardly occur at all, while active information seeking existed, but not for the reason to make a well-informed decision. Rather, it was performed based on a curiosity to learn about conspiracies and experiences, not facts.

The aim of this study is to understand the information seeking of undergraduate students and use of electronic resources at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (namely KTH RIT). Four research questions were developed to guide the study. Wilson’s 1996 model of information behaviour was adopted. The survey research design was adopted. A questionnaire was used to collect data, which was administered to a group of undergraduate students through a convenience sampling technique. A total of 122 undergraduate students were sampled from different departments in different years of study (first-to-third). Several statistical tools such as frequency, percentage and Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient were used to analyse the data. The results obtained from the data analysis revealed that undergraduate students consider all types of information provided as important. Furthermore, books were identified as the most favoured information source that best supports undergraduate students information needs. Next are websites, databases, journals, YouTube and encyclopaedias in ascending order. The study found that what constitutes the information needs of undergraduate students were university study-related tasks, learning, personal roles and research in their order of importance.

Assignment (MPhil (Afrikaans and Dutch))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, the mental models of the target audience of the FACT web site (official Stellenbosch University HIV/Aids web site) were investigated and compared with the structure of the web site (representing the mental model of the expert). The target audience were divided into six groups representing three different race groups (white, coloured and black) and the two sexes (male and female).

The aim of the research was to develop a training course that inculcated infonnation literacy that could be implemented by staff at the University of Dar es Salaam library (Tanzania), in order to provide students with appropriate infonnation literacy skills to meet their educational goals. The course was developed from an integration of knowledge from infonnation behaviour research and educational theory with current perspectives of infonnation literacy from Infonnation and Library Science (ILS). The ultimate goal of the research was to create a framework that would be used by public university libraries in Tanzania to teach infonnation literacy courses. The study was carried out in two parts. In the first implementation "pilot" programme, the course was tested by involving librarians who took the entire course, in order to see whether the same course structure could be used to implement to the Masters of Education students. Following adaptations made on the first course, a second course programme was implemented to Masters of Education students by two librarians who attended the first implementation "pilot" programme. Therefore, the success of the course was partly judged on whether it effectively enabled knowledge transfer from the librarians to students. Data collection methods were predominantly qualitative, although quantitative methods in tenns of diagnostic tests were also used. The tests were used to evaluate trainees' knowledge ofinfonnation literacy before and after the course to provide an indication of changes in knowledge. Qualitative methods used included semistructured interviews with librarians and academic staff at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania in order to make sure that assumptions made about students' knowledge of infonnation literacy and the kind of problems experienced by students were correct. Other methods included quizzes, exercises, group reflection and presentations that related to each stage in the course. These methods served to indicate trainees' understanding of what was taught, reflections on the leaming process and provided feedback for improvements on the course. The major findings showed that there was a recognized need for infonnation literacy and that problems such as unfamiliarity with categories of infonnation sources, analysis, synthesis, evaluation and use, were experienced in Tanzania as was the case in other "Western" countries. In addition, librarians were able to transfer skills learned to students, who in turn used the same course materials to teach fellow students who did not participate in the course. Furthermore, the design of the course was facilitated by the integration of Information and library science (ILS) approaches to information literacy with the knowledge of information behaviour and pedagogic theory. The thesis provides recommendations for the library and information curricula to introduce information literacy, teaching information literacy in a holistic way and with librarians participating in teaching and research. In addition, the study recommended that librarians should facilitate the development of information literacy in primary and secondary schools.

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Abstract: Introduction: To explore the information seeking behavior of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) and to investigate their exposure to libraries and library training in both their home countries and after being hired in Saskatchewan. Methods: This two-phase multi-method project was carried out in Saskatchewan, Canada. A questionnaire was developed based on survey instruments used in previously conducted studies on the topic. Librarians in two academic institutions assisted with validation of the survey. In Phase 1, data were collected via an online questionnaire from IENs in three health regions: Saskatoon, Regina, and Sunrise. In Phase 2, the study was expanded to IENs in all the health regions in the province. The same questionnaire from Phase 1 was used during telephone interviews with participants. Results: A total of 17 IENs responded (Phase 1, n = 9, Phase 2, n = 8). Results show that IENs, although interested in looking for information for their practice, are hindered by a lack of knowledge of how and where to seek relevant clinical information as well as a lack of library training. As a result, their main source of information is the Internet (Google). Discusion: Despite barriers such as time to information seeking, results revealed that given the opportunity IENs would like to receive library training to enhance their information seeking skills.

The study aimed to examine high school student usage of licensed databases available through public libraries in Atlanta-USA. A descriptive quantitative survey was conducted via a web-based questionnaire among 135 East Cobb high school students. The findings revealed that most students are aware of these licensed databases, but their usage is low (1:10) compared to Google. However, as students advance in grade levels, their database usage increases and GALILEO is the most-used licensed resource. Factors that influence student database usage include: specific academic needs; teacher instruction to use specific databases and frequent Digital Information Literacy (DIL) instruction. Most students receive DIL instruction at school, but their DIL skills are still inadequate. To increase usage of licensed databases as reliable information resources, the study recommends collaboration between public libraries and high schools, including incorporation of Generation Y's digital information preferences such as Google-type simplified interfaces, cutting-edge technology and time-saving search features. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

La question du contexte occupe une place centrale dans l’observation et l'étude de tout phénomène. Associée à la recherche d’information, la notion de contexte est de plus en plus mobilisée dans les domaines des sciences de l’information, de l’ingénierie des connaissances, des sciences cognitives et de l’informatique. En effet, le sens d'une expression linguistique, la lecture d’un document la stratégie mise en œuvre dans l’activité de recherche d’information, le raisonnement adopté dans l’opération de classement d’un document, le choix d’avoir recours à tel dispositif, varient fortement d'un contexte à l'autre. Mais que faut-il entendre exactement par contexte ? Comment le définir ? Le contexte est-il assimilable à la notion de situation ? À la notion d'usage ? Voici quelques-unes des questions qui sont traitées dans ce travail, qui cherche à appréhender l’environnement informationnel d’un groupe professionnel donné : les ingénieurs-chercheurs d’une équipe d’EDF-R&D. Pour ce faire, nous cherchons à cartographier cet environnement, à le comprendre, en interrogeant notamment la construction du sens en contexte. Notre contribution cherche ainsi à éclairer l’environnement informationnel de ce groupe d’acteurs et propose quelques axes de réflexion pour accompagner la construction d’une démarche instrumentée de gestion de l’information en entreprise. Ce travail associe différents acteurs (chercheurs et ingénieurs) et participe à un projet de recherche appliquée (ANR MIIPA-Doc). Il accompagne ainsi la conception d’une solution logicielle qui explore l’approche de la classification et de la navigation par facettes, et s’inscrit dans la mouvance des outils collaboratifs, dont le principe consiste à impliquer l’acteur dans les opérations de classification et de "marquage" des documents qu’il produit, manipule et classe dans le cadre de ses activités professionnelles. / Assuming that workplace significantly affects information seeking and information management patterns,this study explores accessibility and management of information sources among a group of research engineers.The study explores how these engineers, who belong to the R&D entity of a major energy group,require, search and manage information sources in given professional contexts. Furthermore, it strives toidentify the contextual factors that shape information practices. This empirical study is based on a qualitativeapproach: following exploratory inquiries, semi-structured interviews and observations were conducted witha small group of actors in their proper workplace. Our integration within the team facilitated the participantobservation stance. The study provides an analytic cartography of the various components of the organizationaland informational environments whereby the activities and tasks of the above mentioned actors takeplace. A wide range of practices has been identified via interviews but also through the activities and workrhythms observed. An appreciative framework has been developed to analyze the practices of access to informationproduced and used in professional contexts; it underlines the contextual factors that may becomedriving dimensions to support an innovative perspective on information management structures. The studyattempts to provide an innovative approach for the analysis of information practices in contexts, orientedtoward the design of a facetted and collaborative information management system.