The information needs and information-seeking behaviours of home-care workers and clients receiving home care

Cooper, J. & Urquhart, C. (2005). The information needs and information-seeking behaviours of home-care workers and clients receiving home care. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 22(2), 107-116. Sponsorship: AHRC

Rural information needs. Final report for Mid Wales Library and Information Partnership

Thomas, R., Crossan, S., Urquhart, C. & Hines, B. (2008). Rural information needs. Final report for Mid Wales Library and Information Partnership. Aberystwyth: Department of Information Studies, Aberystwyth University Sponsorship: Mid Wales Library and Information Partnership

VPPs information needs for effective operation in competitive electricity markets

The large increase of renewable energy sources and Distributed Generation (DG) of electricity gives place to the Virtual Power Producer (VPP) concept. VPPs may turn electricity generation by renewable sources valuable in electricity markets. Information availability and adequate decision-support tools are crucial for achieving VPPs’ goals. This involves information concerning associated producers and market operation. This paper presents ViProd, a simulation tool that allows simulating VPPs operation, focusing mainly in the information requirements for adequate decision making.

Information needs for a purchase of fairtrade coffee

This research investigates what information German Fairtrade coffee consumers search for during pre-purchase information seeking and to what extent information is retrieved. Furthermore, the sequence of the information search as well as the degree of cognitive involvement is highlighted. The role of labeling, the importance of additional ethical information and its quality in terms of concreteness as well as the importance of product price and organic origin are addressed. A set of information relevant to Fairtrade consumers was tested by means of the Information Display Matrix (IDM) method with 389 Fairtrade consumers. Results show that prior to purchase, information on product packages plays an important role and is retrieved rather extensively, but search strategies that reduce the information processing effort are applied as well. Furthermore, general information is preferred over specific information. Results of two regression analyses indicate that purchase decisions are related to search behavior variables rather than to socio-demographic variables and purchase motives. In order to match product information with consumers’ needs, marketers should offer information that is reduced to the central aspects of Fairtrade.

Adaptación cultural del cuestionario LINQ (Lung Information Needs Questionnaire) en pacientes con enfermedad respiratoria crónica en un programa de rehabilitación pulmonar en Cali, Colombia

Objetivo: Adaptar culturalmente el cuestionario LINQ (Lung Information Needs Questionnaire) en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar crónica. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, después de la traducción del cuestionario por traductor certificado y de la adaptación cultural, se aplicó en ocho pacientes para identificar las dificultades y dudas relacionadas con el entendimiento de las preguntas, la terminología y para evaluar no solo la calidad de la traducción, sino también para verificar aspectos prácticos de su aplicación. Posteriormente, se realizó una segunda traducción al idioma inglés la cual fue enviada a los autores para asegurar el contenido original del cuestionario y conseguir el aval para su uso. Resultados: La muestra en la fase de adaptación cultural fue constituida por 6 hombres y 2 mujeres con una edad promedio de 61 años. La versión en españo ldel LINQ y la adaptación cultural fue comprensible y fácil de usar y no presentó discrepancias con la versión original durante el proceso de retratraducción. Conclusiones: La traducción al español y la adaptacion del LINQ fue adecuada pues los pacientes no manifestaron dificultades para entender y responder las preguntas. Esto podrá facilitar la realización de futuros estudios que evalúen el componente educativo en los programas de rehabiltación pulmonar.

Support and information needs of older and disabled older people in the UK

The aim of this study was to determine the support and information needs of older and disabled older people in the UK. Following an initial literature survey, an examination of data on enquiries made by older people to information providers, and a series of focus groups, a questionnaire was developed for a nationwide survey. Over 1630 questionnaires were completed by disabled older clients of Day Care Centres and less frail older members of social clubs. Findings showed that there is a serious shortfall in the number of older people getting the practical support that they need, and the information that enables access to this support, compared to the number that actually need help. Substantial percentages of the survey respondents experienced difficulty with everyday tasks and with accessing the information they needed. Implications for formal sources of support and information are discussed.