Barriers Experienced when Searching for New and Relevant
Information
Six main reasons were given for seeking new information:
1. improvement of services
2. improvement of personal knowledge
3. finding sources of funding
4. general organisation guidance and support; e.g. planning programmes,
training, management
5. communication of organisations’ experiences
6. research.
A quarter of respondents would seek new information approximately
once a month. However, many difficulties were described which
reduced the quality of the information searching experience. Despite
more than 70% of respondents having access to office technology
such as a computer, email, internet and cd roms, there were a
number of barriers limiting the effective use of these tools.
Barriers included were a lack of time, inaccessible language,
information overload, inaccessible websites, costly and slow dial
up connections, lack of relevant information, and a lack of skills
to effectively search for information.
‘Shortage of extra computers set for frequent internet
using.’
‘Limited time due to high costs, most information cannot
be printed or copied... have to travel a distance to reach the
internet café.’
‘There is a language barrier for accessible information.’
‘Quality is the most important factor…there is too
much information and too little quality control.’
‘…lack of guidance on the relevance of the information
got.’
‘Articles are sometimes focused on Western ways of thinking
and working and may not be appropriate to our context.’
In addition, only 48% of respondents had access to a local resource
centre or library. There were mixed opinions about the appropriateness
of the information.
‘It is difficult to keep [local resource centres] updated,
expensive…..’
Finally, there was some concern expressed about the lack of impairment
friendly information, these were mainly directed at the lack of
accessible information for people with visual impairments and
learning impairments, but also concern about the lack of clear
accessible language for the many community grassroots workers.
50% of respondents felt that despite difficulties in finding
relevant information, it was generally perceived that suitable
information could have a positive effect on the working practice
of the organisation.
The majority of organisations documented their project experiences
(80%). However, limitations in sharing the information were described
including a lack of easy access to email, human resource cost,
and a lack of time. In addition, some concern was expressed by
a minority of respondents about anxiety of competition for limited
resources which prevented the sharing of information.
‘We cannot share as much as we want due to our own lack
of technical skills…’
‘Email has revolutionised global communications, but is
still only available to a minority.’
‘Lack of time, information overload…’
Again, despite many barriers, the value of information sharing
was recognised by most respondents. More than 50% belonged to
an information network, which mostly provided hardcopies of newsletters.
Identified Audience Needs
92% of respondents felt that improved access to information sources
would benefit their organisations. The main suggestion put forward
to facilitate the improvement of information services was the
refinement of the wealth of information available.
‘It would strengthen the provision, us and impact of information.’
‘Remove the isolation we are in geographically and technology
wise.’
‘Being up to date in new developments and thinking…’
The services a resource centre should be providing to support
organisations are
1. technical support
2. update alerts and regular newsletters
3. accessible information which is of quality
4. links to funders
5. networking support
6. sharing experiences and databases
7. multi-media; e.g. books, journals, audio information and posters
8. free material.
‘…information is refined and more tailor made and
accessible to all.’
‘Alerts for new information, events, regular publications,
option of setting up discussion boards…’
‘…free access to all, better quality…more local
languages…’
‘…well focused online information, email alerts/updates
on specific topics.’
The majority of respondents (53%) stated they would prefer any
documents accessed through a resource centre to be full text.
Both local (87%) and international (89%) information was valued
as very important for organisations. 70% of respondents found
grey or unpublished literature relevant to their needs.
Source
Currently, only a small number of respondents use Source regularly.
However, 75% of respondents requested regular Source e-bulletins
and 88% of respondents wished for their organisations to be listed
on the Source contacts database.
Source intends to consider the many valuable comments from its
current and potential audience in order to achieve improved access
to disability related information that is relevant and of good
quality. Some of the ways by which we are currently addressing
your identified information needs (updates, networking, finding
relevant information of quality which saves you time and multi-media
resources) include:
The ‘What’s new in Source’ e-bulletin provides
regular updates of resources recently added to the Source database.
These are distributed to any individual or organisation requesting
a copy.
The contacts database contains details of organisations operating
in the fields of international health and disability, providing
a good starting point for networking. Contact details are given
as well as the region and languages of operations, key activities,
and materials produced.
The quick lists are selected lists of essential resources on current
issues in the field that have been critically reviewed by our
consultants to ensure the information that reaches you is relevant
and of good quality. Quick lists are available from the Source
website or in print by request.
The Source website is being redesigned for launch in early 2005.
The final design aims to provide relevant information in an accessible
form and as far as possible support the range of needs identified
in the needs assessment.
The development of cd roms containing selected full text resources
on disability related topics will enable improved access to electronic
information for organisations who face many time and financial
constraints in using the internet.
Source has an extensive catalogue of grey or unpublished literature.
We encourage organisations to share local, regional and international
project experiences with us by sending information such as project
evaluations, lessons learned, and training manuals. We would like
our information to be relevant for local organisations and people
working at the field level. We aim to see our catalogue of grey
literature grow.
Source, with the help of our consultants, also networks with
and supports local and regional resource centres. The Healthlink
Worldwide manual, ‘How to Set Up Local Resource Centres’
is freely available through Source.
For further information about the work of Source, please contact
Daphne Kouretas, kouretas.d@healthlink.org.uk
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