50481 People and Information

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Information and Knowledge Management
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 50105 Communication and Information Environments OR 50226 Communication and Information Environments
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.

Handbook description

In this subject, students develop a detailed theoretical understanding of the relationships that link people, information and knowledge and of people's use of information in diverse contexts. The subject reviews the fundamental philosophies of information and knowledge relevant to information practice. It introduces a range of frameworks for exploring and analysing people's information behaviour drawn from approaches in the social, behavioural, cognitive and computing sciences. The subject examines a range of related research methodologies appropriate for their application in information practice.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject students are expected to be able to:

demonstrate a range of intellectual skills including analysis, synthesis and critical reflection
demonstrate a detailed understanding of different philosophies of information and knowledge relevant to information practice, including theoretical approaches to the relationship that links people, information & knowledge including conceptions of information need, information seeking and information utilisation
demonstrate a detailed understanding of a range of conceptual frameworks for exploring and analysing people's information behaviour, drawn from approaches in the social, behavioural, cognitive and computing sciences, as well as a range of research methodologies appropriate for their application in information practice
demonstrate a critical awareness of a range of research methodologies appropriate to the application of these approaches in information practice.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject contributes to the aims of the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Information Management) graduate profile in a number of important areas:

Have a broad and integrated body of theoretical knowledge in the multi-disciplinary field of information studies and information management, and an appreciation of the foundations and significance of this field within the wider context of the humanities and social sciences by allowing students to develop a detailed understanding of the theories and concepts used in information studies and the social and behavioural sciences to study the relationships between people and information. This subject examines a variety of conceptual frameworks for the study of information behaviour including Sense-Making, cognitive, ethnographic and social constructivist perspectives.
Understand how ideas, knowledge and information are created, represented, communicated and used by individuals and groups in culturally diverse societies by examining a range of theoretical approaches to the relationship between information, knowledge and culture, as well as a range of empirical works examining the information behaviours of a variety of communities and cultures, ranging from adolescents and the elderly through migrant groups to professional communities, such as doctors and engineers. Issues relating to information poverty and the economically and/or socially disadvantaged are specifically addressed.
Possess the critical and reflective capabilities that underpin career-long learning. This underpins the entire teaching-learning process in this subject. Through both class activities and assessment tasks such as a reflective log, students develop their ability to critically reflect on a variety of theories and issues, analysing their strengths and weaknesses and their implications for professional practice.

Teaching and learning strategies

These focus on interactive and constructive approaches to learning. Each session provides a range of learning experiences that are designed to integrate formal input, personal and professional experiences, discussion, reflection and action. Included in the learning activities are lectures and presentations by the Subject Coordinator and guest lecturers as well as presentations by students, class discussions and exercises.

Content

Philosophies of information and knowledge relevant to information management and knowledge management: Students will critically review a range of conceptions the nature of information and knowledge, drawn not only from the study of information (e.g. Barlow, Buckland) and knowledge management (e.g. Davenport) but also a variety of other disciplines including philosophy (e.g. Foucault), communication (e.g. Dervin), sociology (e.g. Bourdieu) and education/learning theory (e.g. Vygotsky). (Objective 2)

Conceptual frameworks for exploring and analysing people's information behaviour: A number of frameworks will be examined. Included are: Cognitive (e.g. Brookes; Belkin; and Kulthau); Sense-Making (Dervin); Ethnographic and Phenomenological approaches (e.g. Chatmam; Wilson) and Social Constructivist (e.g. Savolainen; Talja). These frameworks will be examined and critiqued in terms of a number of dimensions, such as views of reality, information, information seeking and utilisation, approaches to research, historical underpinnings, assumptions, and implications for practice. Theoretical works will be supplemented by examination of a range of empirical studies and case studies. (Objective 3)

Research methodologies appropriate to the application of these frameworks in information practice: In concert with their examination of the above conceptual frameworks, students will critically examine a range of related research methodologies appropriate for their application in their information practice. These will include various approaches to interviewing, participant observation and focus groups. Different approaches to the analysis of empirical research findings will also be examined. (Objective 4)

Assessment

Assignment 1: Reflective Reading Log

Objectives	a, b, c, d
Value	30%
Due	Weeks 6 and 13 in class
Task	Students will be assigned reading regularly through the semester. Students are required to keep a reflective log of their reading. This log will represent a continuous record of the student's interaction with the literature of the field. It can be recorded in a variety of ways: bullet point summaries, concept maps, sets of questions to ask in class, notes of class discussion in relation to readings, and so on. The reflective log must be more than simply a summary of the student's reading but rather should reflect their critical engagement with and reflections on their reading over the course of the semester. Students should aim to include at least 2-3 readings per week. Each student is required to lead class discussion on at least one reading during the semester.
Assessment criteria	Evidence of understanding key ideas as they relate to class content Evidence of critical reflection on the ideas, issues etc Evidence of scope and depth of coverage of readings Satisfactory leading of class discussion

Assignment 2: Thematic Literature Review (2000 words)

Objectives	a, b, c, d
Value	35%
Due	Week 9 in class
Task	Students will undertake a thematic review of the theoretical and empirical literatures they have explored through the semester. The review might focus on literature relevant to a particular area of information/knowledge practice or on literature relating to a particular concept or theoretical and/or methodological approach. As with Assignment 2, it is vital that students consult with their tutor before finalising their topic.
Assessment criteria	Clear definition aims and focus of the review Evidence of wide and appropriate reading Critical analysis of the key 'knowledge claims' made in literature reviewed Exploration of the implications of literature for Information/Knowledge professional practice Recommendations for future research based on the review's findings Appropriateness of style and presentation of the report; including clarity of expression, correct citation practices etc (preferably using Harvard style)

Assignment 3: Research Proposal

Objectives	a, b, c, d
Value	35%
Due	Week 14
Task	Students will develop a proposal for research into the behaviour of a particular community/ecology's relationship with information and knowledge. They will begin with a critical analysis of the existing research literature relating to their chosen community/ecology. .Based on their analysis of the existing research's 'knowledge claims', they should identify the issue or question the proposed research will address. They should identify and justify research methods appropriate to the investigation of the question/issue proposed. The review should be approximately 2500 words in length exclusive of a mandatory bibliography and must adhere to the Harvard style guide.
Assessment criteria	Clear definition and description of chosen community/ecology Critical analysis of existing information behaviour research relating to chosen community Identification and justification of issue or question the proposed study will address Identification and justification of appropriate research methods to undertake proposed study Appropriateness of style and presentation of the report; including clarity of expression, correct citation practices etc

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Attendance is particularly important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students who attend fewer than ten classes are advised that their final work will not be assessed and that they are likely to fail the subject.

Indicative references

There is no set textbook for the subject and students are expected to read widely but selectively. The references listed below represent a selection and students are expected to identify other resources that will contribute to their learning. These references have been placed on Electronic Reserve accessible via the library web-site. Students are expected to read some of these references in preparation for classes. They are also the basis of reading group discussions and the reading log.

Week 2: Key concepts: What is Information? Knowledge?

Julien H. (1999) Constructing 'users' in library and information science. Aslib Proceedings 51 (6): 206-209.

Buckland, M. (1991) Information as Thing. Journal of the American Society for Information Science. 42 (5), 351-360. Available On-line at http://www.sims.berkeley.edu/~buckland/thing.html

Wilson, T. (2000). Human Information Behaviour. Informing Science 3 (1), 49-55.

Additional Reading

Barlow, John Perry (1994) A Taxonomy of Information. Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science 13-17.

Bates, Marcia (2002) Toward an integrated model of information seeking and searching. The New Review of Information Behaviour Research. 3, 1-16.

Dervin, B. (2003) "Human studies and user studies: a call for methodological inter-disciplinarity" Information Research, 9 (1) paper 166 Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/9-1/paper166.html

Dervin, B. & Nilan, M. (1986). Information needs and uses. Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. 21: 3-33.

Krikelas, J. (1983). Information-seeking behavior: patterns and concepts. Drexel Library Quarterly. 19: 5-20.

Pettigrew, K.E., Fidel, F.& Bruce, H. (2001). Conceptual frameworks in information behavior. Annual Review of Information Science and Technology: 43-78

Talja, S. (1997). Constituting "information" and "user" as research objects: a theory of knowledge formations as an alternative to the information-man theory. In. P. Vakkari, R. Savolainen & B. Dervin (eds). Information Seeking in Context. London: Taylor Graham: 67-80.

Wilson, T. (1994). Information needs and uses: fifty years of progress? In: B. C. Vickery (ed.) Fifty Years of Information Progress: A Journal of Documentation Review. London: ASLIB: 15-51.

Wilson, T. (1997). Information behaviour: an interdisciplinary perspective. In P. Vakkari, R. Savolainen, & B. Dervin (ed) Information seeking in context. London: Taylor Graham, 451-464.

Wilson, T. (1999) Models in information behaviour research. Journal of Documentation 55 (3): 249-270.

Week 3: Understanding Users: Communities & Contexts

Davies, E. & McKenzie, P. J. (2004) 'Preparing for opening night: temporal boundary objects in textually-mediated professional practice' Information Research, 10(1) paper 211 Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/10-1/paper211.html

Dervin, B., Harlock, S., Atwood, R., & Garzona, C. (1986). The human side of information: an exploration in a health communication context. Communication Yearbook. 4: 591-608.

Olsson, Michael (2004) 'Understanding Users: Context, Communication and Construction'. ALIA 2004 Biennial Conference Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Queensland, Australia, 21 -24 September 2004. Available at http://conferences.alia.org.au/alia2004/pdfs/olsson.m.paper.pdf

Additional Reading

Baker, L.M. (2004) "The information needs of female Police Officers involved in undercover prostitution work" Information Research, 10(1) paper 209 Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/10-1/paper209.html

Baldwin, N. & Rice, E. (1997). Information-seeking behavior of securities analysts: individual and institutional influences, information sources and channels, and outcomes. Journal of the American Society for Information Science. 48(8): 674-693.

Browne, Mairéad (1993) Organizational decision making and information Norwood, N.J : Ablex Pub.

Butcher, H. (1998) "Why Do Managers Need Information?", in Meeting Managers' Information Needs, Aslib, London, pp. 45-72.

Huotari, M.-L. and Wilson, T. D. (2001) Determining Organizational Information Needs: The Critical Success Factors Approach., Information Research, 6 (3). Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/6-3/paper108.html

Kerins, G., Madden, R. & Fulton, C. (2004). Information seeking and students studying for professional careers: the cases of engineering and law students in Ireland. Information Research, 10(1) paper 208 Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/10-1/paper208.html

Kirk, Joyce (1999) "Information in organisations: directions for information management" Information Research, 4(3) Available at: http://informationr.net/ir/4-3/paper57.html

Lloyd, Annemaree (2007) Learning to Put out the Red Stuff: Becoming Information Literate Through Discursive Practice. Library Quarterly. 77 (2),181-198.

Nelissen, P., Van Eden, D., & Maas, S. (1999). The quality of information services to cancer patients in the hospital: An exploratory study. The Electronic Journal of Communication [On-line serial], 9 (2, 3, & 4).+

Tuominen, K. (2004) "'Whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.' Moral tensions in heart surgery patients' and their spouses' talk about information seeking." Information Research, 10(1) paper 202 Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/10-1/paper202.html

Week 4: Objective Information – Subjective Knowledge

Belkin, N. (1990). The cognitive viewpoint in information science. Journal of Information Science. 16: 11-15.

Brookes, Bertram (1980) The foundations of information science. Part 1: Philosophical aspects. Journal of Information Science 2: 125-133.

Todd, R. (1999). Utilization of heroin information by adolescent girl in Australia: a cognitive analysis. Journal of the American Society for Information Science. 50(1): 10-23.

Additional Reading

Allen, B. (1991). Cognitive research in information science. Annual Review of Information Science and Technology. 26: 3-37.

Frohmann, Bernd (1992) The Power of Images: A Discourse Analysis of the Cognitive Viewpoint. Journal of Documentation V48, 365-386.

Kulthau, Carol Collier (1994) Seeking Meaning: a process approach to library and information services. Norwood, NJ, Ablex.

Kuhlthau, Carol C. (1997) 'An Uncertainty Principle for Information Seeking: a Qualitative Approach' In Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science, vol. 61. Edited by Allen Kent. New York; Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1997. pp. 355-368.

Kuhlthau, Carol C. (1999) The Role of Experience in the Information Search Process of an Early Career Information Worker: Perceptions of Uncertainty, Complexity, Construction and Sources. Journal of the American Society for Information Science 50(5) 1999, pp. 399-412.

Nilan, M. S. (1992). Cognitive space: Using virtual reality for large information resource management problems. Journal of Communication, 42 (4, Fall), 115-135.

Savolainen, R. (2000). Incorporating small parts and gap-bridging: two metaphorical approaches to information use. The new Review of Information Behaviour Research 1: 35-50.

Todd, R. (1999). Back to our beginnings: information utilization, Bertram Brookes and the fundamental equation of information science. Information Processing and Management. 35: 851-870.

Week 5: Making Sense – Understanding the User's Perspective

Dervin, B. (1992). From the Mind's Eye of the User: the sense-Making qualitative-quantitative methodology. In: J. Glazier & R. Powell. Qualitative Research in Information Management. Englewood, Co.: Libraries Unlimited: 61-84.

Dervin, B., Harpring, J., & Foreman-Wernet, L. (1999). In moments of concern: A Sense-Making study of pregnant, drug-addicted women and their information needs. The Electronic Journal of Communication [On-line serial], 9 (2, 3, & 4). – In order to access, go to university library catalogue, search on journal title and then follow the link to the The Electronic Journal of Communication web-site.

Limberg, Louise (1999) Experiencing information seeking and learning: a study of the interaction between two phenomena. Information Research, 5(1) Available at: http://informationr.net/ir/5-1/paper68.html

Additional Reading

Cheuk, B. W., & Dervin, B. (1999). A qualitative Sense-Making study of the information seeking situations faced by professionals in their workplace contexts. Electronic Journal of Communication, 9 (4).

Dervin, B. (1999) On studying information seeking and use methodologically: The implications of connecting metatheory to method. Information Processing and Management, 35, 727-750.

Dervin, B. (2003) "Human studies and user studies: a call for methodological inter-disciplinarity" Information Research, 9(1) paper 166 Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/9-1/paper166.html

Dervin, B., & Clark, K. D. (1999). Exemplars of the use of the Sense-Making Methodology (meta-theory and method): In-depth introduction to the Sense-Making issues of the electronic journal of communication. The Electronic Journal of Communication.

Dervin, B., & Dewdney, P. (1986). Neutral questioning: A new approach to the reference interview. Reference Quarterly, 25 (4), 506-513.

Dervin, B., & Foreman-Wernet, L. (with Lauterbach, E.) (Eds.). (2003). Sense-Making Methodology reader: Selected writings of Brenda Dervin. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.

Nilan, M. S., & Dervin, B. (1999). Beyond agency to structure: Moving quantitative Sense-Making studies to a focus on both societal structural arrangements and information seeking agency. Electronic Journal of Communication, 9 (4).

Poston-Anderson, B, & Edwards, S. (1993). The role of information in helping adolescent girls with their life concerns. School Library Media Quarterly. 22(1), 25-30.

Savolainen, R. (2000). Incorporating small parts and gap-bridging: two metaphorical approaches to information use. The new Review of Information Behaviour Research 1: 35-50.

Savolainen, R. (1993). The sense-making theory: reviewing the interests of a user-centred approach to information seeking and use. Information Processing & Management. 29(1):13-28.

Sonnenwald, Diane H. (1999) Perspectives of human information behaviour: contexts, situations, social networks and information horizons. In Wilson, T.D. & Allen. D.K. (eds) Exploring the Contexts of Information Behaviour: Proceedings of the 2nd Information Seeking in Context Conference Sheffield; UK, 176-190

Week 6: Information Communities – Social Knowledge

Chatman, E. (2000). 'Keynote Address: Framing Social Life In Theory And Research.' Information Seekng in Context: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Research in Information Needs, Seeking and Use in Different Contexts; 2000 August 16-18; Goteburg Sweden. L. Hoglund.

Savolainen, R. (2007) Information Behavior and Information Practice: Reviewing the 'Umbrella Concepts' of Information-Seeking Studies. Library Quarterly. 77 (2), 109-132.

Sundin, Olof (2002). Nurses' information seeking & use as participation in occupational communities. The New Review of Information Behaviour Research. 3, 187-202.

Additional Reading

Foucault, Michel (1984) 'What is an Author? In Rabinow, Paul (1984) The Foucault Reader London; Penguin Books, 101-120.

Given, Lisa (2002) Discursive constructions in the University context: social positioning theory & nature of undergraduates information behaviours. The New Review of Information Behaviour Research. 3, 127-142.

Johannison, J & Sundin, O. (2007) Putting Discourse to Work: Information Practices and the Professional Project of Nurses. Library Quarterly. 77 (2), 199-218.

McHoul, Alec & Grace, Wendy (1993) Chapter 2: Discourse. A Foucault Primer Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 26-56.

McKenzie, Pamela J. (2002) Connecting with information sources: how accounts of information seeking take discursive action. The New Review of Information Behaviour Research. 3, 161-174.

Olsson, Michael (1999) Discourse: a New Theoretical Framework for Examining Information Behaviour in its Social Context. . In Wilson, T.D. & Allen. D.K. (eds) Exploring the Contexts of Information Behaviour: Proceedings of the 2nd Information Seeking in Context Conference Sheffield; UK, 136-149.

Olsson, Michael (2003) The Construction of the Meaning and Significance of an 'Author' among Information Behaviour Researchers. A Social Constructivist approach. Available via Australian Digital Theses Program at http://www.lib.uts.edu.au/finding/collections/digital_theses

Olsson, M. (2005) "Meaning and authority: the social construction of an 'author' among information behaviour researchers." Information Research, 10(2) paper 219 Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/10-2/paper219.html

Olsson, M. (2007) Power/Knowledge: the Discursive construction of an Author. Library Quarterly. 77 (2), 219-240.

Savolainen, R. (1995). Everyday life information seeking: approaching information seeking in the context of "Way of Life". Library and Information Science Research. 17: 259-294

Talja, Sanna (2002) Information Sharing in academic communities: types and levels of collaboration in information seeking and use. The New Review of Information Behaviour Research. 3, 143-160.

Talja, Sanna, Keso, Heidi, Pietilainen, Tarja (1999). The production of 'context' in information seeking research: a metatheoretical view. Information Processing and Management 35: 751-763.

Week 7: Information Ecologies & Communities of Practice

Brown, John Seely and Duguid, Paul (1991) Organizational Learning and Communities-of-Practice: Towards a Unified View of Working, Learning and Innovation. Organization Science 2 (1), 40-57.

Choo, C-W. (2007). Information seeking in organizations: epistemic contexts and contests Information Research, 12(2) paper 298. Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/12-2/paper298.html

Davenport, T. (1997), Best Of All Worlds: Information Ecology, in Information Ecology: Mastering The Information And Knowledge Environment, Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 28-45.

Additional Reading

Bruce, C. (1999). Work place experiences of information literacy. International Journal of Information Management. 19: 33-47.

Butcher, H. 1998, "Why Do Managers Need Information?", in Meeting Managers' Information Needs, Aslib, London, pp. 45-72.

Correia, Z. and Wilson, T. D. 2001, "Factors Influencing Environmental Scanning in the Organizational Context", Information Research, vol. 7, no. 1. Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/7-1/infres71.html

Davenport, Elisabeth (2002) Mundane knowledge management and microlevel organizational learning: An ethological approach Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology; 53; 1038-1046.

Feldman, M.S. & March, J.G.(1981) Information in Organisations as Signal and Symbol. Administrative Science Quarterly 26, 171-186

Kirk, Joyce (1999) "Information in organisations: directions for information management" Information Research, 4(3) Available at: http://informationr.net/ir/4-3/paper57.html

Nardi, Bonnie A. & O'Day, Vicki L. (2000) Information ecologies : using technology with heart Cambridge, Mass; London: MIT.

Perez, Jesus Rodriguez & de Pablos, Patricia Ordonez (2003) Knowledge management and organizational competitiveness: a framework for human capital analysis Journal of Knowledge Management 7 (3), 82-91.

Thite, Mohan (2004) Strategic positioning of HRM in knowledge-based organizations The Learning Organization 11 (1) 28-44.

Veinot, T. (2007) 'The Eyes of the Power Company': Workplace Information Practices of a Vault Inspector. Library Quarterly. 77 (2), 157-180.

Week 9: Virtual Communities – Information Behaviour On-line

Savolainen, R. (2004) "Enthusiastic, realistic and critical. Discourses of Internet use in the context of everyday life information seeking." Information Research, 10(1) paper 198 [Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/10-1/paper198.html]

Schaefer, David & Dervin, Brenda (2005) Online Discussion Groups, Situation Movement States, and Dialogic Quality: The Potential for Democratic Electronic Public Spheres. International Communication Association Conference New York, NY, May 28th 2005

Nancy A. Van House ( 2003). "Digital Libraries and Collaborative Knowledge Construction." In Ann Bishop, Nancy Van House, and Barbara Buttenfield, eds. Digital Library Use: Social Practice in Design and Evaluation. MIT Press; pp. 271-295. [Available at http://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/~vanhouse]

Additional Reading

Adams, A., Blandford, A. & Lunt, P. 2005, 'Social empowerment and exclusion: A case study on digital libraries', ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 174-200

Burnett, Gary (2000) Information exchange in virtual communities: a typology Information Research, 5(4) Available at: http://informationr.net/ir/5-4/paper82.html

Haythornthwaite, Caroline (1998) "A social network study of the growth of community among distance learners" Information Research, 4(1) Available at: http://informationr.net/ir/4-1/paper49.html

Kendall, L. (1999) Reconceptualising 'Cyberspace': Methodological Considerations for Online Research. In S. Jones Doing Internet Research: Critical Issues and Methods for Examining the Net. Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA, 57-74.

Ng, Hooi-Im, Pan, Ying Jie & Wilson, T.D. (1998) "Business use of the World Wide Web: a report on further investigations" Information Research, 3(4) Available at: http://informationr.net/ir/3-4/paper46.html

Park, J. (2007) Interpersonal and Affective Discourse in Synchronous Online Discourse. Library Quarterly. 77 (2), 133-156.

Ruhleder, Karen. (2002) Understanding on-line community: the affordances of virtual space Information Research, 7 (3) Available at: http://InformationR.net/ir/7-3/paper132.html

Talja, S., Savolainen, R. & Maula, H. (2005) "Field differences in the use and perceived usefulness of scholarly mailing lists" Information Research, 10(1) paper 200 (Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/10-1/paper200.html)

Thomsen, Steven R., Straubhaar, Joseph D. & Bolyard, Drew M. (1998) "Ethnomethodology and the study of online communities: exploring the cyber streets" Information Research, 4(1) Available at: http://informationr.net/ir/4-1/paper50.html

Week 10: Information in Everyday Life

Pettigrew, K. (1999). Waiting for chiropody: contextual results from an ethnographic study of the information behaviour among attendees at community clinics. Information Processing and Management. 35: 801-807.

Ross, Catherine Sheldrick (1999) Finding without Seeking: What Readers say about the role of Pleasure-reading as a Source of Information. In Wilson, T.D. & Allen. D.K. (eds) Exploring the Contexts of Information Behaviour: Proceedings of the 2nd Information Seeking in Context Conference Sheffield; UK: 343-355.

Tuominen, K. (2004) Whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.' Moral tensions in heart surgery patients' and their spouses' talk about information seeking. Information Research, 10(1) paper 202 Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/10-1/paper202.html

Additional Reading

Burkell, J., P. McKenzie, & D. Lajoie-Paquette (2005) Information provision for informed prenatal decision making. Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for Information Science held with the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities of Canada at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, June 2-4, 2005. Available at http://www.cais-acsi.ca/proceedings/2005/burkell_2005.pdf

Kofmel, K. (2005) Acquisition and retention: The similar factors implicated in the development and maintenance of reading skill, habit, and preference. Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for Information Science held with the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities of Canada at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, June 2-4, 2005. Available at http://www.cais-acsi.ca/proceedings/2005/kofmel_2005.pdf

Todd, R. (1999). Utilization of heroin information by adolescent girl in Australia: a cognitive analysis. Journal of the American Society for Information Science. 50(1): 10-23.

Tuominen, K. (1997). User-centered discourse: an analysis of the subject positions of the user and the librarian. Library Quarterly 67 (4): 350-372.

Van House, Nancy A. & Davis, Marc (2005). 'The Social Life of Cameraphone Images.' In: Proceedings of the Pervasive Image Capture and Sharing: New Social Practices and Implications for Technology Workshop (PICS 2005) at the Seventh International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp 2005) in Tokyo, Japan. Available at; http://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/~vanhouse/

Yakel, E. (2004) Seeking Information, Seeking Connections, Seeking Meaning: Genealogists and Family Historians Information Research, 10(1) paper 205 Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/10-1/paper205.html

Week 11:Information Poverty

Chatman, E. A. (1999). A theory of life in the round. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 50(3), 207-217.

Hersberger, J.A. (2003) Are the economically poor information poor? Does the digital divide affect the homeless and access to information? Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science 27(3) September: 44-63.

Gurstein, Michael (2003) Effective use: A community informatics strategy beyond the digital divide First Monday, 8 (12) http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue8_12/gurstein/index.html

Additional Reading

Chatman, E. (1991). Life in a small world: applicability of gratification theory to information-seeking behavior. Journal of the American Society for Information Science. 42(6): 438-449.

Chatman, E. (1996). The impoverished life-world of outsiders. Journal of the American Society for Information Science. 47(3): 193-206.

Dervin, Brenda (1989) Users as research Inventions: How Research Categories Perpetuate Inequities. Journal of Communication 39 (3), 216-232.

Digital Divide Network http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/sections/index.cfm

Harris, R. (1988). The information needs of battered women. RQ. 28(1): 60-72.

Menou, M. J. (1995). The impact of information: Concepts of information and its value. Information Processing and Development, 31 (4, July), 479-490

Online Guide to Human rights in the Information society http://rights.jinbo.net/english

Week 12: The Information Society

Castells, Manuel (1999) Information Technology, Globalization and Social Development: United Nations Research Institute for Social Development Discussion Paper No. 114. Available at: http://www.unrisd.org/

Poster, Mark. 1995, 'The mode of information and postmodernity' The second media age, Polity Press, Cambridge, MA., pp. 57-77.

Webster, Frank. (2002) Chapter1: Information & the Idea of an Information Society. Theories of the information society London : Routledge, 2002. Electronically available via UTS library catalogue.

Additional Reading

Bell, D. (1973) 'Post-Industrial Society' [extract from The coming of post-industrial society: a venture in social forecasting, Penguin, Harmondsworth, pp.126-164] in The information society reader, Webster, F. (ed) Routledge, London, 2004, pp.86-102.

Bell, D. (1990) The Third Technological Revolution and Its Possible Socioeconomic Consequences. Dissent 37 (2) Spring, 164-176.

Castells, Manuel (1994) European Cities, the Informational Society, and the Global Economy. New Left Review 204 (March-April), 18-32.

Castells, Manuel, (1996) 'Prologue: the net and the self' in his The rise of the network society, Vol. 1: The information age: economy, society and culture, Blackwells, Oxford,.1-13.

Fuller, Steve (2001) A Critical Guide to Knowledge Society Newspeak: Or, How Not to Take the Great Leap Backward. Current Sociology 49 (4), 177-201.

Giddens, Anthony (1991) Modernity and Self-Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age Cambridge: Polity.

Hague, B. N. & Loader, B. D. (1999) Digital democracy: Discourse and decision making in the information age, Routledge, London.

Kumar, K. (2005) From post-industrial to post-modern society: new theories of the contemporary world Malden, MA: Blackwell.

Machlup, F. & Mansfield, U. (Eds). (1983). The Study of Information: Interdisciplinary Messages New York: Wiley.

Masuda, Y . (1990) 'Image of the Future Information Society', in his Managing in the information society: releasing synergy Japanese style, Blackwell, Oxford, pp.3-10.

Pemberton, J. Michael (1995) The Information Economy: A Context for Records and Information Management Records. Management Quarterly July 1995, 54-58.

Poster, M. (2000), What's the matter with the Internet? University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis.

Stehr, N. (1994) Knowledge Societies, Sage, London.

Week 13: Research & the Reflective Practitioner

Haynes, A. (2004) 'Bridging the Gulf: Mixed Methods and Library Service Evaluation'. Australian Library Journal 53 (3): 285-306

Haythornthwaite, Caroline (1996) Social Network Analysis: An Approach and Technique for the Study of Information Exchange. Library and Information Science Research V18 , 323-342.

Wang, C. & Burris, M. (1997). Photovoice: concept, methodology and use for participatory needs assessment. Health Education & Behavior. 24(3): 369-387.

Additional Reading

Bow, A. (2002) Chapter 16: Ethnographic techniques. In Williamson, K Research methods for students, academics and professionals : information management and systems Centre for Information Studies, Wagga Wagga NSW, 265-279.

Calsyn, R., Rhodes, L. & Klinkenberg, W. (1998). Using theory to design needs assessment studies of the elderly. Education and Programming Planning. 21: 277-286.

Drabenstott, K.M. (1992) Focused Group Interviews. In: J. Glazier & R. Powell. Qualitative Research in Information Management. Englewood, Co.: Libraries Unlimited, 85-104,

Eager, C., & Oppenheim, C. (1996). An observational method for undertaking user needs studies. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. 28(1): 15-23.

Hernon, P. (1991) The Elusive Nature of Research in LIS. In C.R.McClure & P. Hernon Library and Information Science Research: Perspectives and Strategies for Improvement Ablex Publishing Corp: Norwood NJ, 3-14.

Sonnenwald, Diane H. (1999) Perpectives of human information behaviour: contexts, situations, social networks and information horizons. In Wilson, T.D. & Allen. D.K. (eds) Exploring the Contexts of Information Behaviour: Proceedings of the 2nd Information Seeking in Context Conference Sheffield; UK, 176-190

Westbrook, L. (1993). User needs: a synthesis and analysis for the practitioner. RQ. 32(4): 541-49.

Williamson, K., Burstein, F. & McKemmish (2002) Chapter 1: Introduction to research in relation to professional practice. In Williamson, K Research methods for students, academics and professionals : information management and systems Centre for Information Studies, Wagga Wagga NSW, 5-24.

Wilson, T. (2002) Alfred Schutz, phenomenology and research methodology for information behaviour research. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference, Information Seeking in Context (pre-publication), Universidade Lusiada, Lisbon Portugal,193-207.

Witkin, B. (1994). Needs assessment since 1981: the state of the practice. Evaluation Practice. 15(1): 17-27.

Week 14: What is an Information/Knowledge Professional

Marfleet, J. & Kelly, C. (1999) Leading the field: the role of the information professional in the next century The Electronic Library 17 (6), 359-364.

Pickard, A. and Dixon, P. (2004) "The applicability of constructivist user studies: How can constructivist inquiry inform service providers and systems designers?" Information Research, 9(3) paper 175 (Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/9-3/paper175.html)

Radford, Gary P. & Radford, Marie L. (2001) Libraries, Librarians, and the Discourse of Fear: Library Quarterly; 71 (3), 299-329.

Additional Reading

Berry; Leonard L. & Parasuraman, A. (1997) Listening to the customer - the concept of a service-quality information system. Sloan Management Review, 38 (3), 65-76.

Kulthau, Carol Collier (1994) Seeking Meaning: a process approach to library and information services. Norwood, NJ, Ablex.

Nilan, M. S. (1992). Cognitive space: Using virtual reality for large information resource management problems. Journal of Communication, 42 (4, Fall), 115-135.

Radford, M. L. and G. P. Radford (1997). 'Power, Knowledge and Fear: Feminism, Foucault, and the Stereotype of the Female Librarian.' Library Quarterly 67(3): 250-266.

Taylor, Robert S. (1986) Value-added processes in information systems Norwood, N.J.: Ablex Pub. Corp., c1986.

Yerbury, H. (1990) Designing information products & services – a professional skilled activity. Australian Special Libraries 23(4), 55-61