Objectives: Existing findings on cancer patients' use of information sources were synthesized to (1) rank the most and least used information sources and the most helpful information sources and to (2) find the impact of patient demographics and situations on use of information sources. Methods: To synthesize results found across studies, a…

Reporters appear to fall into three types according to the way in which they evaluate the credibility of their sources. All types demand corroboration, but they differ on the significance of intuition. (RL)

Proposes a conceptual framework for studying the information-seeking behavior of executives when they scan the business environment. Research in management theory and information science is reviewed, and the principal elements of the framework are discussed, including the environment, acquisition of information, environmental information use,…

Means by which educational research information is disseminated to researchers and practitioners are examined. The analysis shows an increasing reliance on journals and on recent literature by preparers of research reports. An assessment of an educational research encyclopedia indicates shifts in the level of usage of various journals. (TJH)

Prompted by an awareness of the general public's lack of access to scientific literature in the medical field, this paper documents the practical and ethical desirability of eliminating obstacles to those seeking health information. Discussions based on a survey of the literature focus on (1) the concepts and definitions of information, knowledge,…

Reviews the literature on the topic of information use by physicians. The five areas presented include the concept of information use, relevant bibliographies and reviews, the use of library related sources of information, the use of nonlibrary related sources of information, and factors affecting information use by physicians. (93 references)…

Institutional researchers are often called on to compare financial performance across institutions as part of comprehensive institutional management teams. Several types and sources of national data, including databases and publications, are appropriate for this, each with particular strengths and limitations. Three sources also provide…

Noting that covering the United States Department of Education can pose special problems for journalists, this report provides information about the operations of the department and notes the strengths and weaknesses of information produced by and about it. The first three sections of the report discuss the current political atmosphere at the…

This overview deals with studies bearing on the role which information on research and development plays in science and technology in the United States, discussing in general terms the nature, benefits, and problems associated with the collection, dissemination, use, and value of such information in scientific and technological growth. Studies in…

Discusses two models of selecting information sources--Cost/Benefit (information seekers select sources on basis of expected benefits and costs), and Least-Effort (seekers select sources on basis of minimizing effort or cost). Results of a study proposing that users place different weights on costs and benefits are presented. (EJS)

Discussion of information democracy focuses on information technologies and society and on social equity in the distribution and use of information resources. Highlights include relationships between society and technology; concepts of democracy; concepts of social justice and social equity; information needs, sources, and uses; and mass…

Discussion of the information needs of agricultural researchers in Africa focuses on the potential usefulness of unpublished reports. Reasons for the underutilization of unpublished reports are addressed, including a lack of access resulting from poor bibliographic control, lack of an information policy in most countries, and inadequate and poorly…

This investigation of information seeking behavior focuses on three behaviors: (1) how people gather information in academic or work environments; (2) the sources they use; and (3) how their behavior relates to the library and its resources. This paper provides a review of the literature on information seeking from 1981 to 1986, a report on a…

This paper examines the elements of user studies and presents them as unified concepts within a model of information-seeking behavior. Definitions of information-seeking behavior, information needs, information gathering, information giving, and source preference are discussed. Thirty-two references are cited. (EJS)

These two volumes provide information on the scope of adult and community education (ACE) in Australia and implications for improved data collection and reporting. Volume 1 begins with a glossary. Chapter 1 addresses project objectives and processes and methodology. Chapter 2 analyzes the scope and diversity of ACE in terms of what is currently…