Seminar in Library &
Information Science

• The nature of information transfer
• Approaches to analysing information transfer
• Early information transfer models
• Refinements in information transfer models
• Use and adaptation of information transfer models
• Related models
Seminar in Library & Information
Science
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Information & knowledge are created from the application of new techniques, new insights, &/or new research to existing bodies of information & knowledge
‘If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants’
(Isaac Newton)
Seminar in Library & Information
Science
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World 2:
Cognition
Conception
Writing
Reading
World 3:
Information
Perception
Action
World 1:
Objects & events
HKU Faculty of Education 4

World 2:
Cognition
Active
Knowledge
Represented
Knowledge
World 3:
Information
World 1:
Objects & events
HKU Faculty of Education 5

• Representation of structure
OED
• Simplification of reality
• Diagnostic tool
Information transfer models highlight the stages where information needs to considered in order to get optimum advantages from it (& minimum negative results from its mismanagement)
Seminar in Library & Information
Science
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The roles of information transfer models, include:
• Understanding information transfer within different groups
• Aids to designing systems for information flow
• Diagnosing sources of information flow failure
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Science
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The Shannon-Weaver communication model was initially developed in 1947 to improve telephone line transmission. It has been refined in the succeeding decades
It is an influential model that can be applied to all forms of communication
Seminar in Library & Information
Science
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 source
 feedback

  
 transmitter
 channel
 receiver
 destination
 noise data transfer message transfer information transfer
Middleton, 2002
9 Seminar in Library & Information
Science

Transfer type Level of analysis
• Data Technical/syntactic
• Message Semantic
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Science
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Within the Shannon-Weaver model we refer to noise & filters. They may be:
• Physical, eg poor technology, reception, competing noise etc
• Semantic – refers to problems of meaning, understanding etc
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Science
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Semantic noise can be a sender and/or receiver problem.
It can be caused by:
• Literacy level
• Nerves
• Preconceptions
• Culture
• Ambiguity/semantics
• Mood/emotions
• Distractions
• Etc
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Science
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Production
& distribution
Uses & users
Collection
& storage
Interpretation Delivery
Recording
& representing
Accessing
Seminar in Library & Information
Science
King & Bryant, 1971
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(2)
Composition
(3)
Recording
(11)
Research &
Information generation
(1)
(10)
Assimilation by user
(9)
Physical access
(4)
Reproduction
(8)
Identification
& location
Generation of knowledge
(7)
Organization
& control
(5)
Distribution
Seminar in Library & Information
Science
(6)
Acquisition
& storage
Lancaster &
King, 1977
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Seminar in Library & Information
Science
Choy, 1997
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‘Basic research ( fundamental or pure research) has as its primary objective the advancement of knowledge & the theoretical understanding of the relations among variables…. It is conducted without a practical end in mind although it can have unexpected results that point to practical applications. The terms ‘basic’ or ‘fundamental’ research indicate that, through theory generation, basic research provides the foundation for further, often applied research’
Wikipedia
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Science
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Applied research ‘is directed towards specific objectives such as the development of a new drug, therapy or surgical procedure. It involves the application of existing knowledge, much of which is obtained through basic research, to a specific..… problem’
New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research
Research leads to creation of new information. An individual can keep it to him/herself or record it & make it available to others
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Science
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Information/knowledge is recorded in a variety of formats & then made available for collection. Some knowledge may be made publicly available for free or for purchase; some information/knowledge may be kept confidential or have restricted access
Organisations & individuals collect recorded information in a systematic way, ie to satisfy their information needs
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Science
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To make it easier to find required information sources, organisations & individuals arrange collected documents in a coherent way eg by:
• Subject/topic
• Format/medium
• Date creator/author
• etc
Organisation should match the information seeking behaviour of potential users
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Science
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Information may be kept for short or long periods of time. Storage needs to balance:
• Cost
• Suitability to format/medium
• Preservation needs
• Speed of retrieval
• Security needs
Orgnisations adopt a range of storage methods for different information sources
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Science
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Information seekers require some methods for locating useful information/documents.
The larger the quantity & the greater the diversity of information collected, the more complex the access systems required.
Catalogs & indexes are typical access systems
Access informs the information seeker that a document exists (or doesn’t) within a collection & where they can find it
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Science
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Delivery involves the information seeker gaining possession of the document. Organisations provide different levels of delivery based on:
• Nature of the items sought
• Nature of the information seeker
• Preferred format of the document
• Cost
• Security
• etc
The information seeker can then use the information
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Science
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New research is based on existing research; new information is based on existing information created distributed organised used retrieved
Seminar in Library & Information
Science stored
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18 assimilation by individual user
1/19 research & information generation
Role of information enterprises
10 provision of access
Seminar in Library & Information
Science
Browne,1985
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15 physical access
16 assimilation by end user
17/1 research & information generation
10 interpretation
9 analysis
8 retrieval
5 distribution
Browne,1985

Made up of:
1. Time cycle
2. Knowledge cycle
3. Publication cycle
4. Access cycle
What problems in dissemination of scientific information does this model surface?
Seminar in Library & Information
Science
Green & Carey, 2001
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reality data information need query
Abstractions & mapping of an information system
Korfhage, 1997
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Science
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Abstraction 1
In any information system, the ‘real world’ is represented by a collection of data abstracted from observations of the real world & made available to the system
Abstraction 2
A user’s information need, whether for production, storage, or retrieval of information, is abstracted into a form that is commensurate with the information system to be used
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Science
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Retrieval retrieval knowledge
Reading information
Recognition accessible collections of knowledge
Butcher & Rowley, 1998
Restructuring knowledge domain
Release validated knowledge
Reviewing subjective knowledge public knowledge
29

information organisation
& storage information needs information acquisition information distribution information products/ services information use adaptive behaviour
Choo, 1998
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Science
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Tasks Initiation Selection Exploration Formulation Collection Presentation
Feelings
(affective) uncertainty optimism confusion frustration doubt clarity sense of direction/ confidence
Satisfaction or disappointment
Thoughts
(cognitive) vague  focused
 increased interest

Actions
(physical) seeking relevant information exploring
 seeking pertinent information documenting
Kuhlthau, 2004
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Science
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Browne, M. (1985). Information enterprises in Australia: A first profile. Sydney: Kuring-gai College of Advanced
Education. School of Library & Information Science.
Butcher, D, & Rowley, J. (1998). The 7R’s of information management. Managing Information, 5(2),
Choo Chun Wei, 1998. The knowing organization: How organizations use information to construct meaning create knowledge and make decisions. New York: Oxford UP.
Choy, F. C. (1996). Educating the new parar-professionals for library and information services. Singapore Libraries,
25(1), 24-37.
Green, C., & Carey, P. (2001). Scientific publication cycle.
Retrieved February 5 2008, from http://courses.washington.edu/info220a/pubcycle_files/fra me.htm
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Science
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Kennedy, J. & Schauder, C. (1994). Records management: a guide for students and practitioners of records and information management with exercises and case studies. Melbourne: Longman.
King, D. & Bryant, E. (1971. The Evaluation of Information
Services and Products. Arlington: Information resources press.
Korfhage, R. (1997), Information storage & retrieval. New
York: John Wiley.
Kuhlthau, C. (2004). Seeking Meaning: A Process
Approach to Library and Information Services. Westport:
Libraries Unlimited.
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Science
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Kuhlthau, C. (2004). Seeking Meaning: A Process
Approach to Library and Information Services. Westport:
Libraries Unlimited.
Middleton, M. (2002). Information management: A consolidation of operations, analysis and strategy,
(Topics in Australasian Library and Information Studies,
18). Wagga Wagga: Centre for Information Studies,
Charles Sturt University.
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Science
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