57100 People, Information and Knowledge

UTS: Communication: Language Studies
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Handbook description

This subject begins with an examination of the fundamental philosophy of information and knowledge relevant to the areas of information management and knowledge management. It also serves as an introduction to frameworks for exploring and analysing people's information behaviour. Students develop a detailed understanding of the theoretical underpinnings that link people, information and knowledge. It introduces the concepts of information ecologies and communities of practice as part of the skill set for working with and understanding the implications of people needing, using and adding value to information. These concepts draw on multidisciplinary theories articulated within the social, cognitive, management and computing sciences.

Subject objectives/outcomes

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

demonstrate a detailed understanding of different philosophies of information and knowledge
demonstrate a detailed understanding of a range of conceptual frameworks for exploring and analysing people's information behaviour, drawn from approaches across a range of disciplines
demonstrate a critical awareness of a range of research approaches appropriate to the application of these approaches in information and knowledge practice.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject contributes to the aims of the graduate program in Information and Knowledge Management in a number of important areas, by providing students with:

an understanding of the relationship between individuals and public/private recorded information, as well as tacit/explicit knowledge, and how these can be identified, captured, structured, valued and shared for effective use 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. In addition, 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, cultures and ecologies, it examines the central role of research in effective user-centred information practice
creative, critical, reflective problem-solving capabilities in the context of their professional roles and a commitment to life-long learning. This underpins the entire teaching-learning process in this subject. Through both class activities and assessment tasks, 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 of the nature of information and knowledge, drawn from a wide range of disciplines including information and knowledge management, philosophy, communication, sociology, and education/learning theory (Objective a).

Conceptual frameworks for exploring and analysing how people seek, interact with and use information and knowledge:

A number of frameworks will be examined, including cognitive, ethnographic, sense-making, phenomenological, social constructionist and technological deterministic approaches. The theoretical works will be supplemented by examination of a range of empirical studies and case studies from variety of information and knowledge practice contexts (Objective b).

Research methodologies appropriate to the application of these frameworks in information and knowledge management 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 practice. These will include such techniques as observation, interviewing and focus groups, needs analysis and social network analysis (Objective c).

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Reflective Log

Objective(s):	a, b, c
Weighting:	30% (2 x 15%)
Task:	Students are required to keep a weekly log, reflecting on their learning in relation to the subject. Entries should include discussion of the student's reading, as well as insights gained from the lectures and tutorial discussions and activities. Entries may take a variety of forms: bullet point summaries, concept maps, sets of questions to ask in class, notes of class discussion in relation to readings, and so on.
Assessment criteria:	Evidence of appropriate critical engagement with the ideas and issues introduced through the semester through evaluation and synthesis of discussions, texts and other materials. Evidence of reflective skills, including the ability to reflect on their own learning throughout the semester. Development of an appropriate format and style.

Assessment item 2: Analytical Report (2,500 words)

Objective(s):	a, b
Weighting:	35%
Task:	In this assignment students will explore and critically analyse a particular concept, theory or issue relating to the content covered during the semester. The assignment has been deliberately framed extremely broadly to afford students the opportunity to examine topics of interest to them and/or of relevance to their professional development. In consequence, it is critically important that students consult with their tutor before finalising their topic. This assignment will assess students' ability to understand and critically analyse the key ideas, issues etc relevant to their topic, focusing particularly on the theoretical and empirical literature engaged with through the semester.
Assessment criteria:	Evidence of wide and appropriate reading Coherent analysis, synthesis and critique of key ideas relevant to the chosen topic Assessment of the implications of the chosen concept, theory or issue for information and knowledge professional practice/s Appropriateness of style and presentation of the essay; including clarity of expression, correct citation practices etc (preferably using Harvard style)

Assessment item 3: Thematic Literature Review (2500 words)

Objective(s):	a, b, c
Weighting:	35%
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 research and professional practice Appropriateness of style and presentation of the report; including clarity of expression, correct citation practices etc (preferably using Harvard style)

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 website. Students are expected to read the core readings in preparation for classes. They are also the basis of tutorial group discussions and the reflective log.

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

Buckland, M. (1991) Information as Thing. Journal of the American Society for Information Science. 42 (5), 351-360.

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

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

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

Pettigrew, K.E., Fidel, F. and Bruce, H. (2001). Conceptual frameworks in information behaviour. 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 and 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, and 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 and Contexts

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

Olsson, Michael (2009) Re-Thinking our Concept of Users. Australian Academic & Research Libraries 40 (1): 22-35.

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

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. and Rice, E. (1997). Information-seeking behaviour 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.

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

Davies, E. and 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.

Kerins, G., Madden, R. and 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

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

Olsson, Michael (2004) 'Understanding Users: Context, Communication and Construction'. ALIA 2004 Biennial Conference Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Queensland, Australia, 21 -24 September 2004.

Nelissen, P., Van Eden, D., and Maas, S. (1999). The quality of information services to cancer patients in the hospital: An exploratory study. The Electronic Journal of Communication [Online serial], 9 (2, 3, and 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.J. (2006). "From information to knowledge: charting and measuring changes in students' knowledge of a curriculum topic" Information Research, 11(4) paper 264. Available at http://InformationR.net/ ir/ 11-4/ paper264.html

Additional reading

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

Chowdhury, Sudatta & Gibb, Forbes (2009) Relationship among activities and problems causing uncertainty in information seeking and retrieval. Journal of Documentation 65 (3). In press.

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

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 and R. Powell. Qualitative Research in Information Management. Englewood, Co.: Libraries Unlimited: 61-84.

Dervin, B., Harpring, J., and 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 [Online serial], 9 (2, 3, and 4

Dervin, B., Reinhard, C.D. and Shen, F.C. (2006). 'Beyond communication: research as communicating. Making user and audience studies matter—paper 2'Information Research, 12(1) paper 287. Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/12-1/paper287.html

Additional reading

Cheuk, B. W., and 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. (2006) 'Researchers and practitioners talk about users and each other. Making user and audience studies matter—paper 1' 'Information Research, 12(1) paper 286 Available at http://informationr.net/ir/12-1/paper286.html

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

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

Nilan, M. S., and 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, and 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 and 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. and 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.

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

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

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 and nature of undergraduates information behaviours. The New Review of Information Behaviour Research . 3, 127-142.

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

McHoul, Alec and 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. and 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://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/dspace/handle/2100/284

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. (2005) 'Making Sense of Sense-Making: Information Behaviour Researchers Construct an 'Author'' Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science. Sep2005, Vol. 29 Issue 3, p315-334.

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 and 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/paper121.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.

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

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

Perez, Jesus Rodriguez and 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 8: Virtual Communities – Information Behaviour Online

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 and 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.

Additional reading

Adams, A., Blandford, A. and 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 and 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. and 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. and 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. and Allen. D.K. (eds) Exploring the Contexts of Information Behaviour: Proceedings of the 2nd Information Seeking in Context Conference Sheffield; UK: 343-355.

Burkell, J., P. McKenzie, and 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. 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. and 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.

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/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/1798/1678

Additional reading

Chatman, E. (1991). Life in a small world: applicability of gratification theory to information-seeking behaviour. 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.

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.

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.

Webster, Frank. (2002) Chapter1: Information and the Idea of an Information Society. Theories of the information society London : Routledge, 2002.

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

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

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 and 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. and Burris, M. (1997). Photovoice: concept, methodology and use for participatory needs assessment. Health Education and Behaviour. 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. and 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 and R. Powell. Qualitative Research in Information Management. Englewood, Co.: Libraries Unlimited, 85-104,

Eager, C., and 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 and P. Hernon Library and Information Science Research: Perspectives and Strategies for Improvement Ablex Publishing Corp: Norwood NJ, 3-14.

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

Williamson, K., Burstein, F. and 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.

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

Additional reading

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