Choice Of Information Sources Research Articles

EXPLORING FACTORS INFLUENCING INFORMATION SOURCE PREFERENCES IN THE LIFE INSURANCE INDUSTRY: A FACTOR ANALYSIS APPROACH

This research investigates the availability of information sources preferences for individuals seeking life insurance policies. With the life insurance landscape evolving rapidly, understanding the accessibility and efficacy of information is crucial. This study examines various sources including insurance agents, company websites, online platforms, social media, and traditional media. Through quantitative surveys, it assesses the comprehensiveness, reliability, and impact of these sources on consumers decision-making processes. The findings provide insights for insurance companies to enhance consumer education, improve awareness, and optimize communication strategies, ultimately fostering a more informed and empowered consumer base in the life insurance market.This research delves into the nuanced determinants influencing insured individuals choices of information sources within the life insurance industry, employing a factor analysis methodology.Factor analysis is employed to identify and analyze the underlying dimensions. The study aims to uncover the key factors that influence insured persons decision-making processes and satisfaction levels in Life insurance.

Health Information Seeking Behaviour in University Students Sri Lanka

Health Information Seeking Behaviour (HISB) refers to the action individuals take to fulfil their health-related information needs. In today's information-rich world, understanding HISB has become crucial for developing effective strategies in information-seeking and health management. For university students, efficient HISB can alleviate health-related anxiety, enhance risk management, promote self-care, and empower informed decision-making, all of which can positively impact academic performance. The findings unveiled intriguing patterns in information source preferences, with 46.2% of students turning to the Internet as their primary source, 41% relying on interpersonal networks, and 13% consulting healthcare professionals. Notably, no students reported using mass media platforms for health information. Gender, year of study, degree program, physical activity, health literacy, self-efficacy, and perceived severity of health problems exhibited significant associations with the choice of information sources. For instance, male students preferred the Internet, while female students leaned towards consulting healthcare professionals and interpersonal networks. Second-year students primarily used the internet, while final-year students sought advice from family and friends. Those who work-activity turned to healthcare professionals, whereas sports-activity favoured the internet. Furthermore, students with low work activity showed reduced odds of using the internet. Interestingly, sports activity had a significant impact only among internet information seekers. Students with moderate health literacy were more inclined to consult family and friends. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the factors affecting HISB among university students, offering a nuanced understanding of their information-seeking behaviour. These findings have implications for health education and interventions promoting informed and responsible health-related decision-making among young adults.

Information seeking behavior of university students during 2023 dengue outbreak

Background of the study: Dengue outbreak has become a regular phenomenon Bangladesh. It has created a panic among people from all walks of life. Purpose: The study was conducted to gain insights about the dengue related information seeking behavior of university students of Bangladesh during 2023 dengue outbreak. Method: In this study, a survey was conducted with an online questionnaire here. 532 students from different universities of Bangladesh have participated Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis test was applied to determine the relationships between different demographic variables and the choice of information sources, purpose of seeking information. Findings: In this study majority of students Majority of the students use social media platforms as their primary source of information regarding dengue virus. Most of the students seek information to mainly know about the disease and the safety products related to the virus. There was a significant difference between the residence of the respondents and their choice of information sources. The respondents also have identified several barriers to dengue related information. They mostly regarded the lack of medical terminologies and lack of necessary steps by the educational institutions as the primary barriers. Conclusion: Dengue outbreak has become regular phenomenon in Bangladesh. It imperative for studen5tts to seek necessary information regarding the dengue virus. The authorities must take care of the preference of the students regarding the choice information source while giving them proper information.

Predicting and Empowering Health for Generation Z by Comparing Health Information Seeking and Digital Health Literacy: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study.

Generation Z (born 1995-2010) members are digital residents who use technology and the internet more frequently than any previous generation to learn about their health. They are increasingly moving away from conventional methods of seeking health information as technology advances quickly and becomes more widely available, resulting in a more digitalized health care system. Similar to all groups, Generation Z has specific health care requirements and preferences, and their use of technology influences how they look for health information. However, they have often been overlooked in scholarly research. First, we aimed to identify the information-seeking preferences of older individuals and Generation Z (those between the ages of 18 and 26 years); second, we aimed to predict the effects of digital health literacy and health empowerment in both groups. We also aimed to identify factors that impact how both groups engage in digital health and remain in control of their own health. The Health Information National Trends Survey was adopted for further use in 2022. We analyzed 1862 valid data points by conducting a survey among Chinese respondents to address the research gap. A descriptive analysis, 2-tailed t test, and multiple linear regression were applied to the results. When compared with previous generations, Generation Z respondents (995/1862, 53.44%) were more likely to use the internet to find out about health-related topics, whereas earlier generations relied more on traditional media and interpersonal contact. Web-based information-seeking behavior is predicted by digital health literacy (Generation Z: β=.192, P<.001; older population: β=.337, P<.001). While this was happening, only seeking health information from physicians positively predicted health empowerment (Generation Z: β=.070, P=.002; older population: β=.089, P<.001). Despite more frequent use of the internet to learn about their health, Generation Z showed lower levels of health empowerment and less desire to look for health information, overall. This study examined and compared the health information-seeking behaviors of Generation Z and older individuals to improve their digital health literacy and health empowerment. The 2 groups demonstrated distinct preferences regarding their choice of information sources. Health empowerment and digital health literacy were both significantly related to information-seeking behaviors.

ПРО ДЕЯКІ КОГНІТИВНІ ТА МОТИВАЦІЙНО-ЦІННІСНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СУБ’ЄКТІВ ПРОБАЦІЇ З ЧИСЛА ЗАСУДЖЕНИХ ЗА КОЛАБОРАЦІЙНУ ДІЯЛЬНІСТЬ

This article explores the cognitive and motivational-value characteristics of probation subjects who have been convicted of collaboration activities. The research aims to investigate the psychological mechanisms influencing the behavior of collaborators and their impact on the rehabilitation and reintegration process. The study is based on the results of a pilot survey of probation subjects conducted in 2022 by the Sector of Psychological Assistance and Innovations in Probation. The analysis revealed that collaborators use social media and television significantly less frequently compared to probation staff, with a particular emphasis on limited use of social media. Researchers identified differences in the choice of information sources between collaborators and probation personnel: the former more often use Telegram, while the latter prefer YouTube. These differences may indicate variability in cognitive styles and information perception between these groups. The article also examines the influence of the information environment on the thinking of probation subjects: social media fosters verbal-logical thinking, whereas video content on YouTube activates visual-spatial thinking. The highlighted differences in activity and information perception can affect how subjects react to the presented information. The research also emphasizes the need to expand the value space of probation subjects, as collaborators less frequently travel abroad compared to probation staff. All these findings underscore the importance of considering the cognitive and motivational-value characteristics of probation subjects when developing rehabilitation and reintegration programs for collaborators. Combining different forms of thinking and taking into account their information environment can contribute to a more successful rehabilitation and reintegration of this group of individuals. Key words: collaborationism, collaborationist, motivation, values, cognitive characteristics, probation.

Medical staff knowledge about the different regimens and plans of treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common chronic infections. It is linked to the development of peptic ulcers and is considered an important factor in the development of gastric cancer. With an appropriate therapeutic regimen, the eradication of H. pylori infection can be achieved, gastritis can be cured, and we can alter its progression to the complications. In this study, we aimed to measure medical staff knowledge about the different regimens and treatment plans for H. pylori infection in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A 23-item questionnaire was filled out by 60 internal medicine physicians in the private sector to assess different variables regarding H. pylori knowledge and treatment. Results: A total of 40 responses were included [30 (75%) men, 26 (68%) &amp;lt; 45 years]. We found that a higher knowledge score was more associated with being a male (T = 2.397; p = 0.002) and those having sources of H. pylori&amp;apos;s information such as national meetings (T = 2.418; p = 0.020) and internet (T = 2.063; p = 0.046), while the differences in the score of knowledge among age (p = 0.992) and degree/title (p = 0.547) were not significantly different. Conclusion: There are knowledge discrepancies among the participants with a wide spread of data sources regarding H. pylori management, screening, and diagnosis. There was also a statistically valuable difference regarding physicians&amp;apos; choice of information source. Those who obtained their information through national meetings and internet sources were more knowledgeable than those who obtained it in another way. For future research, we suggest exploring the connection between information sources and the knowledge level and attitude concerning treatment plans.

Preferensi Sumber Informasi dalam Persiapan Olimpiade Sains Nasional Pada Kalangan Siswa SMA di Kota Surabaya

The preference of information sources in preparation for the National Science Olympiad among high school students in the city of Surabaya, has the aim of explaining and knowing how the preferences or selection of information sources among high school students are to prepare themselves to confront OSN. The number of sources of information widespread among high school students will lead to a choice of information sources that can later be used as references by students to meet academic needs and for the needs of the National Science Olympiad (OSN). The ability of students to access and obtain information sources effectively can be a provision that must be mastered by students in selecting information sources. That way, students will get sources of information according to their needs in preparing for OSN. This research uses descriptive quantitative research methods and purposive sampling. The data collection method was taken from questionnaires and secondary data. This study analyzes the selection of printed and non-printed sources of information and the factors behind respondents choosing information sources. The results obtained from this research are that students tend to have multiple preferences, it can be proven by as many as 49% of respondents choosing to use both sources of information (printed and non-printed), this shows different results from previous research and uses as the theory of this research proposed by Jhon Steppen B. Arenas, et al. .al. (2018) The factors behind the choice of information sources available by students are due to the availability of collections in locations where students make choices, and also the convenience provided when selecting information sources, both printed and non-printed sources of information to prepare for the National Science Olympiad ( OSN). The selection of information sources is also inseparable from the important role of the library, as a location to find sources of information that can support OSN preparation.

PUBLIC OPINION TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH (THE CASE OF THE VOLOGDA REGION)

Abstract. The relevance of the work is caused by the socio-economic consequences of mental illness, the growing psychological distress of the region's population in the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the prevalence of alert sentiments regarding the assistance of specialists. Improving health literacy has a positive effect on behavior related to seeking help for psychiatric symptoms and communication with healthcare practitioners. The purpose of this work is to study public opinion about the problems of mental illness and literacy of the population in the field of mental health. The method is a sociological survey of the population of the Vologda Oblast (quota sample, N = 1500). The study revealed the attitudes of the region's residents in relation to mental illness: lack of interest in the majority of information about mental health; conservatism in the choice of information sources; negative stereotypes in relation to people with mental disorders: the need for their exclusion; stereotypes regarding the lifestyle and treatment of people with mental disorders. The residents of the region have a small potential request for information materials on the forms and manifestations of depressive and anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, dementia; information on eating disorders is least in demand. It is concluded that the current situation requires a more attentive attitude to educational programs for the population of the region on the issues of mental health and ill health.

Hierarchy position &amp; personality predict politicians’ choice of information sources

Political leaders need to stay informed about their constituents’ needs and the pros and cons of any course of action. Reviewing information from a variety of sources would be expected to result in decisions that best serve those constituents. In a study involving 269 Belgian politicians, we examined whether the information sources they used differed according to individuals’ position in the political hierarchy or their personality. We found that both factors could predict a politician's consultation of certain sources over others. Notably, elite political leaders (those with the most power and status) turned significantly more to sources produced by politically neutral groups (such as civil services or scientific institutions) than did politicians known as “backbenchers,” who have less clout. We document several such patterns and argue that these tendencies are problematic. Political parties and government entities interested in good governance should provide training to teach politicians and their staffs to explore varied perspectives.

The Relationship Between Information Sources, Health Literacy, and COVID-19 Knowledge in the COVID-19 Infodemic: Cross-sectional Online Study in Japan.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused not only a disease epidemic but also an infodemic. Due to the increased use of the internet and social media, along with the development of communication technology, information has spread faster and farther during the COVID-19 infodemic. Moreover, the increased choice of information sources has made it more difficult to make sound decisions regarding information. Although social media is the most common source of misinformation, other forms of media can also spread misinformation. However, the media sources used by people with high health literacy and COVID-19 knowledge to obtain information are unclear. Furthermore, the association between the use of multiple information sources and health literacy or COVID-19 knowledge is ill-defined.ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the following 3 aspects regarding the COVID-19 infodemic: (1) the relationship between health literacy, COVID-19 knowledge, and the number of information sources used; (2) the impact of media use on health literacy; and (3) the impact of media use on COVID-19 knowledge.MethodsAn online cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2021. Participants were 477 individuals aged 20-69 years. After obtaining consent to participate in the study, participants were asked about sociodemographic indicators, sources of health-related information, health literacy, and COVID-19 knowledge. Sources of health-related information were categorized into 4 types: mass media, digital media, social media, and face-to-face communication. The Spearman rank correlation test was conducted to determine the relationship between health literacy, the number of correct answers to COVID-19 knowledge, and the number of information sources used. Multiple regression analysis was conducted with health literacy and the number of correct answers as dependent variables, the 4 media types as independent variables, and age and sex as adjustment variables.ResultsMass media was the most frequently used source of information, followed by digital media, face-to-face communication, and social media. Social media use was significantly higher among individuals aged 20-29 years than among other age groups. Significant positive correlations were found between health literacy, the number of positive responses to COVID-19 knowledge, and the number of information sources used. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that health literacy is associated with access to information from digital media and face-to-face communication. Additionally, COVID-19 knowledge was associated with access to information from mass media, digital media, and face-to-face communication.ConclusionsHealth literacy and COVID-19 knowledge could be improved using diverse information sources, especially by providing opportunities to use digital media and face-to-face communication. Furthermore, it may be important to improve health literacy and provide accurate knowledge about COVID-19 to young adults.

Dynamics and structure of youth preferences in the information space of the Republic of Crimea

The article actualises the issues of information security in the conditions of transformations of the media space in the regions of Russia (on the example of the Republic of Crimea). Attention is focused on the preferences of young people regarding the sources of obtaining and usage the information received. The main contours of preferences in the choice of information source are determined. The specificity of the choice of information sources typical for young people in the Republic of Crimea is shown. In addition to the Internet, an important source of information for regional youth is direct social contacts and personal communication. In the list of Internet sources, social network information resources have an advantage. It is proved that the information preferences of young people and older generations do not always coincide. For this purpose, the results of sociological studies conducted in 2018-2020 in the Republic of Crimea (before and during the coronavirus pandemic) are presented. Studies have shown that it is distance learning and self-isolation that are factors undermining the existing system of social relations, social subordination and social control. Particular attention is paid to the study of the manifestation of youth interest in information sources of extremist content. The gender and age structure of those interested in Internet sources of extremist content has been revealed. Despite the fact that the identified &amp;amp;quot;risk groups&amp;amp;quot; are relatively small, they significantly increase the likelihood of participating in various kinds of informal organisations, including those of a radical nature. The problem is exacerbated by the secrecy and vagueness of the existence of such groups that function in the information space as flexible and combinatorial social formations capable of rapid structural change and renewal. As the results of the research showed, the tendency of young people to “leave” into the virtual space was intensified by the factor of social isolation and the introduction of forms of distance learning, that contributed to the erosion of strong social ties and their replacement with weak ones (in accordance with the terminology of network analysis theory). It is shown that the state and society in the interests of ensuring internal stability and security, should, undoubtedly, must seriously take into account the processes of transformation of the media space, where a significant proportion of the activity of today's youth is transferred.

An investigation into the information-seeking behaviour of professionals, working within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Ireland

PurposeThis research aimed to investigate the information-seeking behaviour (ISB) and information needs of different professional groups within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in the Republic of Ireland (i.e. for what purpose information is acquired), the information sources professional groups use (including in-house documentation, regulations, industry guidelines, standards and colleagues) and the factors, which influence professional groups' choice of information sources. Furthermore, the research explored the perceived level of support that exists towards knowledge and information sharing.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative non-experimental research design, comprising of a self-completion survey questionnaire, was used to examine a number of information-seeking variables: information triggers, information sources and source influencers as well as information sharing enablers. It was related to four professional tasks: process technology/process development, regulatory support and quality/compliance support and engineering.FindingsThe research provides new insights into the ISB of pharmaceutical professionals working within a highly regulated and high-performance production environment, including a greater understanding of the context in which professional groups experience information needs. The levels of agreement observed in relation to employees' perception of information-sharing enablers indicated an overall positive level of information sharing.Research limitations/implicationsThe study points to largely echoed previous findings which suggest that individual work role associated tasks prompt particular information needs. Further to this, work role associated tasks have a bearing on information source selection. Pharmaceutical professionals engaged in positive levels of information and knowledge sharing, relying on procedures, other colleagues and internal documentation as information sources. The participants also indicated a high level of agreement in respect to the value of available subject matter experts as information-sharing enablers.Practical implicationsOrganisations should aim to create opportunities for adequate time to share information and organisational structures, facilitating an overall organisational culture of sharing. A focus on information sharing through forums, seminars, meetings and working groups could enhance information sharing, through the development of communities of practice.Social implicationsPharmaceutical professionals relied on trustworthiness and quality as professional' top information source-influencing factors. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that working within a high-performance, target-driven and time-constrained production environment brings a particular contextual impact, where frequent urgent information triggers are experienced. These contextual factors warrant further investigation.Originality/valueA paucity of information exists with respect to the ISB of professionals, working within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, which is a sector known for its high level of information use and production. This paper offered an original empirical investigation of the ISB of professionals, working within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in the Republic of Ireland, focussing on key professional tasks. The research also addressed the level of support available for knowledge and information sharing.

How the expertise heuristic accelerates decision-making and credibility judgments in social media by means of effort reduction.

Real-time communication, unlimited distribution of information, and the lack of editorial supervision in social media communication aggravate recipients’ credibility evaluations and information selection by what aspects of the source such as expertise have emerged as important anchors for evaluations. It has long been assumed that credibility judgments in social media are specifically guided by heuristics. However, the existing studies merely give indications, for example, based on individuals’ self-report but do not test whether important attributes and prerequisites of heuristic decision-making, such as effort reduction, are present. Against this background, the current study (N = 185) analyses by applying a reduced two-alternative choice paradigm whether the relation between the expertise cue and credibility judgments and the choice of information sources is guided by a heuristic, namely the expertise heuristic. Findings indicate that the presence of the expertise cue reduced respondents’ task latencies significantly, although participants’ decision behavior was not independent from additional information. This is discussed in detail with recourse to theoretical conceptualizations of cognitive heuristics.

Career Information Practices of Guidance Practitioners

Although career development theories underline the central role of information in career choice and studies show that guidance practitioners are among the main information sources of people making career choices, the actual information practices of these practitioners in their career interventions remain fragmented. Moreover, the studies on the theme of career choice associating information, information sources and information practices (whether it is among guidance practitioners or individuals in career choice) offer little conceptualization on these notions. In order to fill this gap, an online survey of 330 guidance practitioners in Quebec was conducted to document specifically their career information practices (information sources consulted and categories of career information sought). Statistical analysis show that the main career information sought relates to central elements of career choice (training programs and occupations) and the main information sources consulted are non-human and institutional. In addition, some contextual elements are associated with seeking and selecting certain categories of information and sources. The discussion highlights the importance of digital sources in the information practices of these practitioners, the association between the populations served and the choice of information sources and categories of career information and the role of co-workers as information support on career and beyond.

ВПРОВАДЖЕННЯ СИСТЕМИ УПРАВЛІНСЬКОГО ОБЛІКУ НА ПІДПРИЄМСТВІ: ОРГАНІЗАЦІЙНИЙ АСПЕКТ

The conditions for the effective operation of the enterprise on the market require the formation of an internal information system for the management of the business entity, which is based on management accounting data and contributes to the improvement of the efficiency of management decision-making in the process of operation. The article updates issues related to the practical implementation of the management accounting system at Ukrainian enterprises. It has been established that, characterizing management accounting either as a separate system or as a subsystem of accounting, scientists unanimously identify identical functions and tasks inherent in it. The article highlights the following functions of management accounting: ensuring the functioning of information systems for the automation of enterprise management; monitoring of the main areas of financial and economic activity; coordination of activities to achieve operational and strategic goals; provision of informational and advisory support for making management decisions; development of measures to improve the efficiency of the financial and economic activity of the enterprise. The factors on the basis of which the management accounting system is created at the enterprise were studied: unsatisfactory economic indicators; emergence of new goals; inconsistency of goals; outdated methods of planning, costing and analysis; lack of accounting and analytical methods that do not meet the requirements of monitoring financial and economic activity; repetition or absence of certain functions, conflicts in the process of their implementation. The most widespread errors in the implementation of the management accounting system were identified: misunderstanding of the essence and tasks of management accounting; wrong choice of goal; too much or not enough information; excessive amount of controlled indicators; wrong choice of information sources; focus on costs and full budget control; lack of income and risk analysis; organization of management accounting without prior examination of the reliability of information sources at the enterprise; integration of management accounting into other departments. It was found that the implementation and organization of the management accounting system is a complex and expensive process, but, as global and domestic practice has shown, it is a necessary part of business management.

INTERNET USER’S BEHAVIOR FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE NEURAL NETWORK THEORY OF SOCIETY: PREREQUISITES FOR THE META-EDUCATION CONCEPT FORMATION

Abstract. An analysis of the behavior of Internet users from the point of view of their preferences in the choice of information sources and the effectiveness of their impact is presented. It is shown that the modern infocommunication space has undergone qualitative changes in the most recent time, and these transformations are already having a pronounced impact on higher education, mainly through the factor of competition between information sources. It is shown that these transformations can be interpreted as the evolution of the noosphere, which is considered as a global infocommunication network, in which non-trivial transpersonal information objects are formed. Their existence leads to the fact that the human intellect has a dual nature - both individual and collective principles are present in it at the same time. The latter is responsible for such phenomena as the collective unconscious, understood in the sense of Jung. It is shown that the neural network model of the noosphere makes it possible to formulate a similar concept of "professional collective unconscious", which is responsible for professional intuition, acts of creativity, etc. In turn, the existence of the professional collective unconscious forces us to radically reconsider the content of what is called training and move to the concept of meta-learning, which, among other things, involves stimulating transitions from one level of interaction with transpersonal information structures that make up the professional collective unconscious to another.

1634P Communication specifics with cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia: Can a virtual visit meet the needs of cancer patients?

Background: In this study, we focused on communicating with cancer patients on active treatment during the first lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the patient’s main sources of pandemic information. Methods: In the first wave of the pandemic, during the first lockdown, we conducted an observational study in 8 of the 13 oncology centers in Croatia. The study is based on an anonymous self-report questionnaire designed for this study. It included 422 oncology patients, older than 18 years, who were in active oncology treatment at the time. To study the correlation between the patient’s perspective on communicating with medical staff during a pandemic, the preferred type of communication, and the main sources of pandemic information relative to clinical and sociodemographic data, we used univariate descriptive and bivariate analyzes. Results: In the first lockdown, our respondents communicated with the oncologist and oncology nurses mostly in-person (77.7% vs. 81%), and with the general practitioner mostly virtually, most often by phone (70.6%). Regardless of the pandemic, the majority of oncology patients (76.1%) prefer to communicate with an oncologist in-person, and most expressed satisfaction with communicating with medical staff during a pandemic. The choice of information sources and type of communication depends on the age, gender, income, education, and the seat of the disease of patients. Conclusions: For most of our respondents, in-person visits were the basic way of communicating with oncologists and oncology nurses. On the other hand, a virtual visit was the basic way to communicate with the general practitioner. As patients stated that, regardless of the pandemic, they prefer to communicate with the oncologist in-person, we can conclude that the virtual visit does not meet the needs of cancer patients who are in active oncology treatment. In our study men showed a tendency to communicate in-person, while women, breast cancer patients, younger people, highly educated people, and people of higher income are more prone to virtual visits and are more inclined to use the Internet as a source of information about a pandemic. Clinical trial identification: Approval number: 02/1-91/97-2020. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

The choice of information sources and marketing channel of Bali cattle farmers in Bali Province

Abstract The aims of this research were to calculate marketing efficiency and to identify the information sources of cattle farmers who select direct or indirect channel of cattle selling. This study used a descriptive research design. Respondents in this research were determined by quota and judgmental sampling methods. Data were collected through observation and in-depth interviews. Data collected were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that 66.67% and 33.33% of farmers selected indirect channel and direct channel, respectively. Among the latter, all the farmers sold to butcher, inter-island traders, or end consumers on Muslim religious ceremony. Indirect channel farmers obtained 83.72% of producer’s share, while in the direct selling method farmers obtained the entire share. However, marketing efficiency of indirect marketing channel was better with 20.22 than the direct marketing channel with 29.70. Furthermore, in the direct marketing channel, most farmers received information from buyers (25.86%) and farmers in the indirect marketing channel received from family members (20.29%). All farmers obtained similar impersonal information from televised media. In conclusion, farmers in direct channel received more income but indirect marketing channel gave a better marketing efficiency. Lastly, majority of farmers in both channels received information from personal sources.

Factor Affecting the Information Sources and Communication Channels toward Pig Farmer’s Perception of African Swine Fever in Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam

The study was conducted to estimate factors affecting the information sources and communication channels that were used by pig farmers to access information about African Swine Fever (ASF) in Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam, and to determine the perception of pig farmers about ASF epidemic. The survey used the questionnaires to gather data from 150 pig farmers which was conducted in a purposive method and was analyzed by multiple logistic regression model. The respondents were pig farmers who had experienced at least one year and have been affected by ASF epidemic in raising or trading pigs and other activities of the value chain. The result showed that the decision to choose information from government extension worker as the main information resource was affected by gender, pig herd size, informal education, and formal education (p&lt;0.01) while only gender and education affecting the choice of farming visit as their communication channel (p&lt;0.01). When farmers can access to ASF information, they know how to anticipate the disease and deal with the outbreak. It was concluded that socio- demographic have affected the choice of information sources while only gender and formal education affected communication channels. Furthermore, when accessing information sources and communication channels, pig farmers had an awareness of basic information about ASF.

Communication Networks of On-Farm Rubber in Riau Province, Indonesia

The rubber on-farm subsystem is an important part of rubber commodity development. Communication is an important part of the on-farm subsystem carried out by farmers because the communication network formed describes the farmer’s communication pattern. The research aims to analyze the communication networks on-farm rubber in Riau and was conducted in two potential districts for rubber commodities in Riau Province, which are Kuantan Singingi Regency and Kampar Regency. To obtain research data, respondents were determined by purposive and snowball sampling. The number of respondents in this research was 168 rubber farmers. The results of the research showed that the on-farm communication network of rubber farmers in Kampar Regency, in a centralized pattern form (interlocking personal network), indicated that there are individuals dominant in the communication network of rubber farmers. Meanwhile, the communication network for rubber farmers in Kuantan Singingi Regency, with a radial personal network, confirmed that the farmer information centers have begun to spread to several individuals. It is necessary to introduce institutional and communication technology, so that farmer information centers are not limited on only certain individuals, and farmers have choice of information sources that can increase knowledge and help to solve problems for rubber farmers in Riau Province.