Information-seeking Approaches Research Articles

Retribution and utilitarianism as motives for children’s third-party punishment: An information-seeking approach.

Retribution and utilitarianism as motives for children’s third-party punishment: An information-seeking approach.

Understanding parents uncertainty sources and management strategies while caring for a child diagnosed with a hematologic cancer

RationaleParents of a child or adolescent (CA) or young adult (YA) diagnosed with a hematologic cancer often face uncertainty. Managing uncertainty is critical to reduce the psychosocial burden of illness-related stressors. ObjectiveThis study sought to identify: 1) sources of uncertainty among parents of a child diagnosed with a hematologic cancer, 2) strategies used by parents to manage uncertainty, and 3) clinicians' responses to parents' online information-seeking approach to managing uncertainty. MethodsParents of CAs/YAs diagnosed with a hematologic cancer within the past 1–18 months and living in the U.S. participated in an in-depth, semi-structured phone interview (n = 20). Data were analyzed thematically. ResultsParents reported uncertainty about treatment (options, efficacy, and side effects or risks) and uncertainty about the future (recurrence, whether worry would subside, and how to approach the child's future). Parents managed uncertainty by seeking information online, talking to clinicians, and joining support groups. Clinicians' responses to online information-seeking were described as supportive and unsupportive. ConclusionParents described struggling with uncertainty across the cancer continuum (from primary treatment to survivorship). Parents' psychosocial health may benefit from individual and systems level interventions that help address and manage uncertainty, especially interventions focusing on parent caregiver-clinician communication.

Changes in attitudes to vaccination as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study of older adults in the UK.

The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has brought an unprecedented focus on public attitudes to vaccines, with intention to accept a COVID-19 vaccine fluctuating during the pandemic. However, it is unclear how the pandemic may influence attitudes and behaviour in relation to vaccines in general. The aim of the current study is to examine older adults' changes in vaccination attitudes and behaviour over the first year of the pandemic. In February-March 2020 (before the first COVID-19 national lockdown in the UK), 372 older adults (aged 65+) provided sociodemographic information, self-reported influenza vaccine uptake, and completed two measures of vaccination attitudes: the 5C scale and the Vaccination Attitudes Examination Scale. One-year later, following rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to older adults, participants provided information on their COVID-19 and influenza vaccine uptake in the previous 12 months, and completed the 5C and VAX scales again. Paired samples t-tests were used to examine changes in vaccination attitudes over time. Almost all participants (98.7%) had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and a significant increase in influenza uptake was identified (83.6% in 2020 to 91.6% in 2021). Complacency, mistrust of vaccine benefit, concerns about commercial profiteering, and constraints to vaccination had significantly decreased between Time 1 and Time 2, and collective responsibility had significant increased. However, calculation and worries about unforeseen future effects had increased, indicating that participants now perceived higher risks related to vaccination and were taking a more deliberative information-seeking approach. The results show significant changes in vaccination attitudes across the pandemic. These changes suggest that while older adults became less complacent about the importance of vaccines, concerns about potential risks associated with vaccination increased. It will be important for public health communication to address these concerns for all vaccines offered to this group.

Decision Support Needs for Patients with Severe Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis

ABSTRACT Social workers in healthcare settings often support patient decision-making processes for complex medical decisions. The objective of this study was to examine decision support needs for patients considering aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis. Seventeen qualitative interviews were conducted to explore treatment decision experiences of patients who accepted AVR. Analysis was conducted using a mixed inductive-deductive approach. Fear was a prevalent response for most participants in the face of AVR. Two general paths of decision making emerged: an “active” information seeking approach, or a “passive” simplicity seeking approach. Patients with unique clinical presentations felt alienated by the decision-making process. Acknowledging fear while understanding different decision-making styles provide opportunities for social workers and other members of multidisciplinary teams to support complex patient decisions.

Avoiding Information during Serious Illness: Insights into the Information Behavior of Cancer Patients

AbstractCancer patients seek information about their health and illness using many different approaches. Some prefer to seek intensively whereas other avoid seeking information. Over the course of the cancer continuum an individual may meet their needs using several different approaches. In this paper, we explore how avoidance can be an approach used as part of information seeking activities and not just as an alternative approach. Interviews with six current and former cancer patients were conducted and audio recorded for transcription. The transcriptions were coded to identify themes and concepts. We identify the different patterns of information seeking among the interviewees ranging from seeking intensively to avoiding information. Furthermore, we find that exposing yourself selectively to information as well as avoiding some information can be strategies to protect the information seeker from information the individual is not able to cope with. This study indicates that information seeking approaches are overlapping.

Dynamic Radar Networks of UAVs: A Tutorial Overview and Tracking Performance Comparison With Terrestrial Radar Networks

In the incoming years, the low-aerial space will be crowded by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which will be providing different services. In this expected context, an emerging problem is to detect and track unauthorized or malicious mini/micro UAVs. In contrast to current solutions mainly based on fixed terrestrial radars, this article will put forth the idea of a dynamic radar network (DRN) composed of UAVs able to smartly adapt their formation-navigation control to best track malicious UAVs in real-time, with high accuracy, and in a distributed fashion. To this end, some technological solutions and the main methods for target detection and tracking will be described. Further, an optimized navigation scheme will be developed according to an information-seeking approach. Some examples of simulation results and future directions of work will be finally presented highlighting the advantages of dynamic and reconfigurable networks over static ones.

Global water, sanitation and hygiene research priorities and learning challenges under Sustainable Development Goal 6

Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) is a global partnership addressing challenges to universal water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) access. Shortly following adoption of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the Research and Learning (R&L) constituency of SWA undertook a systematic study to determine global research priorities and learning needs. We aimed to identify priority topics where improved knowledge would aid achievement of Goal 6, by developing a global WaSH research agenda, and to describe evidence-use challenges among WaSH professionals. We delivered a tailored, semi-structured electronic questionnaire to representatives from countries, R&L institutions, and other SWA partners (external support agencies, civil society, and private sector). The survey gathered views from 76 respondents working in an estimated 36 countries across all world regions. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to identify patterns and themes. Most responses indicated lowered confidence on at least one Goal 6 target area, especially managing untreated wastewater and faecal sludge. Both brief and lengthy information formats were valued. WaSH information was perceived as conflicting or unreliable among non-R&L constituencies, suggesting differences in perceptions and information-seeking approaches. While the R&L constituency appeared saturated with learning and training opportunities, others perceived barriers to participating (e.g. not receiving notice or invitation). Research and other WaSH activities were frequently constrained by upward accountability to funders, while stakeholders were inconsistently included in research processes. This study offers insight into perceived research and decision challenges related to Goal 6 targets. It develops a unified research agenda focused on high priority topics, and recommends renewed attention to evidence synthesis, learning and implementation support, research engagement, and multisectoral coordination.

User's Emotions and Information Seeking Behaviour: A Case Study in Central Library Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow

The growth in the number of users and advancements in technology put pressure on the staff, collection and services of the libraries and thus results in dissatisfaction among users towards the libraries. The user created a negative image of the libraries in the absence of adequate facilities, services and staff behaviour. The users are not coming to libraries rather they using alternate for their information needs. It is observed that neither libraries nor the users have bounding to supplement each other. The aim of this study is to elaborate the picture of the role of sentimental expressions in seeking information by the users. The emphasis given to the positive and negative sentiments expressed while getting information from the libraries. Keep in mind the sentimental aspects of the users; this study tries to find out the answers to the questions such as how they feel, reacts and behaves if they did not receive their information. How the staff behaviour influenced by information-seeking approaches of the users? The major finding of the study reveals that sentiments play a significant role in the workplace; sentimental factors are equally important because they affect the general tone of discussion and influence the ways in which users pursue information.

Low-Effort Information Searching: The Heuristic Information-Seeking Toolkit

ABSTRACTHow do academic library users search for scholarly information? While there are many possible ways, research from several scholarly fields offers a useful perspective; studies from social psychology, economics, and library and information science suggest that users will often favor “low-effort” information-seeking approaches. Though many academic librarians undoubtedly advocate efficient information-seeking strategies, we argue that development of a more systematic and coordinated low-effort approach would be beneficial. Accordingly, this article offers an organized “toolkit” of low-effort information-seeking strategies suitable for self-use by library patrons or inclusion in library instruction programs.

The Information Seeking Strategies of Digitized Resources in Cebu Technological University, Philippines

The study investigates the strategies employed by the students of Cebu Technological University in searching information using digitized resources. It identifies students' information needs using the main campus' library and describes the information seeking approaches students employ using the Internet, Online databases and Optical media. The study employs simple purposive sampling. It uses descriptive method of survey and document analysis. A focus group discussion was also conducted and computer log monitoring analysis. The study revealed that students' information needs are varied and course related. Students' purposes in searching information in digitize sources are to get an overview of their research topic; answering class assignments and gathering related literature. Students supply their own keywords rather than the keywords provided in the index of online databases was generally the first approach used in searching information in digitized sources. Boolean operators and truncations as search techniques were the least used approach. Search engines of Google, Yahoo, and You Tube were the top three preferences of students when using the Internet as a Digitized Information Source. Dealing with too many results to choose from and inadequate instructions on how to proceed with the search usually contribute to the delay in finding the needed information.

Evaluation of a hospital-based cancer information and support centre

Although information seeking is encouraged by health care professionals as a positive coping strategy evidence suggests information needs of those affected by cancer are not always fully met. In response to the need for novel models of information provision and educational support for people affected by cancer, a hospital-based cancer information and support centre (CISC) was introduced into a tertiary cancer hospital. Professional support is provided by a cancer support nurse (CSN) with the clinical experience of working with cancer patients, whilst peer support is provided by volunteers. A survey was developed to ascertain the perceptions and experiences of consumers (users) of a hospital-based CISC. The aim was to understand what information and support patients and families consider important and helpful in order to develop the service to reflect the needs of its users. During a 12-month period 111 surveys were distributed to users of the centre. Sixty-nine surveys were returned (62.1%). Nearly all visits were motivated by the need to access (58/84.0%) information, indicating an unmet or changing need. The CSN initiated referrals to support services, both internal and community based, for 21 (53.9%) participants with whom there was contact. Contact with the CISC volunteers also resulted in internal or community-based referrals for 15 (32.6%) of participants. Of note, half of the participants (35/50.7%) reported seeking additional information from the internet as a consequence of having visited the CISC and/or having contact with the CSN or volunteer, in contrast to the six (8.7%) who had reported internet use for information prior to their first visit. Participants indicated a desire for the service to provide additional support to enhance self-care capacity and to do so alongside other people affected by cancer. Our study results support the capacity of a hospital-based CISC to provide a highly valued service that can broaden information options and meet changing information and support needs of people affected by cancer in an ongoing capacity. An experienced, qualified CSN in this setting is ideally positioned to screen for unmet information and support needs and deliver tailored education to support both inpatient and ambulatory care services. Information prescriptions have the potential to provide a 'directed information seeking approach' to those who visit a CISC. Through the use of information technology there is scope to develop information and support that expands beyond pamphlets and booklets.

Relationship of Sleep Quality with Coping and Life Styles in Female Moroccan Immigrants in Germany

Epidemiologic studies conducted in Western societies show poorer sleep quality in women compared with men. Socioeconomic and stress-related psychological variables have been shown to influence sleep, but not much is known about sociological and psychological influences on the sleep of women in general and non-Western women in particular. The present study reports on sociodemographic and coping variables in relation to sleep quality in female Moroccan immigrants living in Germany. Participants took part in a structured personal interview on Pittsburg Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI) sleep quality, coping style preferences, and information related to the degree of identification with Western life style. Sleep quality was poor (PSQI > 6) in 39% of women. Surprisingly, women who had identified with a more Western lifestyle had poorer sleep quality than women who had retained their traditional Moroccan life style. An unusually large proportion of women preferred monitoring (i.e., information-seeking coping style) and adaptive coping (48% and 19%, respectively), regardless of sleep quality. Monitoring was more frequent in women who were less integrated into German culture. Results on sleep quality suggest that for Moroccan immigrant women in Germany, adopting a Western life style may be more stressful than retaining their native life style. The high preference for an information seeking approach in coping may reflect the desire for information rather than actual coping behavior.

Human information behavior: Integrating diverse approaches and information use

AbstractFor millennia humans have sought, organized, and used information as they learned and evolved patterns of human information behaviors to resolve their human problems and survive. However, despite the current focus on living in an “information age,” we have a limited evolutionary understanding of human information behavior. In this article the authors examine the current three interdisciplinary approaches to conceptualizing how humans have sought information including (a) the everyday life information seeking–sense‐making approach, (b) the information foraging approach, and (c) the problem–solution perspective on information seeking approach. In addition, due to the lack of clarity regarding the role of information use in information behavior, a fourth information approach is provided based on a theory of information use. The use theory proposed starts from an evolutionary psychology notion that humans are able to adapt to their environment and survive because of our modular cognitive architecture. Finally, the authors begin the process of conceptualizing these diverse approaches, and the various aspects or elements of these approaches, within an integrated model with consideration of information use. An initial integrated model of these different approaches with information use is proposed.

Trends in the Study of Pavlovian Conditioning

These introductory comments for the special issue on Pavlovian conditioning begin with a brief review of Rescorla’s (1988) influential paper outlining how trends in the study of Pavlovian conditioning changed the dominant view from an analysis of simple associations to an information seeking approach. I argue that current research trends in Pavlovian conditioning suggest possible ways of integrating the information-seeking approach with a more embodied, evolutionary approach. I briefly consider four trends reflected in the following papers that potentially add to our appreciation of how ecology and evolution are involved in conditioning: (1) Exploring an adaptive basis for Pavlovian conditioning; (2) Clarifying the relation of Pavlovian and operant conditioning; (3) Relating preexposure and sensory preconditioning to the organization of exposure learning; and, (4) Integrating models of Pavlovian conditioning.

Die handlungstheoretische Perspektive empirischer (Massen-) Kommunikationsforschung. Theoretischer Ansatz, methodische Implikationen und forschungspraktische Konsequenzen

Article Die handlungstheoretische Perspektive empirischer (Massen-) Kommunikationsforschung. Theoretischer Ansatz, methodische Implikationen und forschungspraktische Konsequenzen was published on January 1, 1992 in the journal Communications (volume 17, issue 2).