This study identified the information seeking behavior and networking practices used by members of a specific marginalized population, that of adult female probationers (AFPs) in a rural county in Texas. The study focused on how they seek out information when faced with a self-identified need in their lives. Beyond the basic "food, shelter and clothing" that comes to mind, the respondents find themselves faced with questions not only about the judicial system but also ones involving health care, employment, transportation, child-care, and other. The study utilized a qualitative research approach to gather data about the AFPs' information behavior and networking activities. The AFPs were asked about their information behavior during their time in the judicial system and after that involvement ended, and about their use of three points of information access: personal social network, physical resources, and electronic resources. Data was also gathered from community members (CMs) who have a role either within the judicial system or external to the judicial system. In its findings, the study determined there is no single point of access to a comprehensive listing of resources for the AFPs to utilize, and that AFPs reported seeking information via two ways as based on the type of question being raised. The study found that a hierarchy of needs should include access to the internet, if not an electronic device itself. The study also found there is a strong relationship between an AFP's personal social network and their support system, and that, beyond access to information, there is an element of information receptivity involved with their success. Based upon the insights provided by the AFPs and CMs, the study provides recommendations to improve information dissemination, especially about available resources, and to facilitate AFPs' access to same. With the study's conclusion, a report will be submitted to members of the rural county's judicial system who have stated a strong interest in the study's recommendations for potential implementation.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc2137535 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Livingston, Jo Ann |
| Contributors | Schultz-Jones, Barbara, Chang, Hsia-Ching, Miksa, Shawne D., Bland, Dorothy |
| Publisher | University of North Texas |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | Text |
| Rights | Public, Livingston, Jo Ann, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights Reserved. |
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