1.
Guide in assessing Information
1. Who the users will be
Their age, sex, educational level, literacy level and type of work they do
2. What their information needs are
What main subjects they need information about
What other subjects they need information about
What they will use the materials in the resource centre for (in order of priority)
Which activities the materials will be most useful for
How important local/national/regional/international information is
What formats of materials will be useful:
articles (for writing reports and getting new ideas for activities)
books and other documents (for getting a comprehensive picture of a topic)
personal advice (to help plan activities)
training manuals (to assist with a training activity)
videos (for training and health education)
abstracts of published articles (to keep up-to-date on new developments and know what to follow up)
newsletters (to find out what new developments are taking place in the subject area, and what other
organisations are doing)
3. What materials are available
What other sources of published and unpublished materials exist
How much materials cost, and whether health workers can afford to buy them
What gaps there are (in terms of subject, type of material, such as training manual, reference material), language,
format (such as book, audiovisual), and educational level
What other sources of information exist:
government services and departments
non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
mass media (newspapers, radio, television)
e-mail and Internet services
4. How information can be disseminated
What methods for disseminating information would best suit resource centre users (such as resource lists, current
awareness bulletins or document supply services)
How feasible these methods are
A needs assessment can be carried out by interviewing people individually, organising a focus group discussion (a
structured discussion with a small group of potential users) or by asking potential users to complete a questionnaire.
Interviews and discussions are better, as they provide an opportunity to meet people and discuss their needs. If a
questionnaire is used, it should be made easy for people to complete. This can be done by listing the most likely
answers, so that people only need to tick a box or circle a word.
2. Skills in determining the reliability of information
skills in determining the Reliability of Information:
a. Check the Author
b. Check the Date of Publication or of update
c. Check for Citations
d. Check the Domain or owner of the site/page. .com - .edu - .mil - .gov - .org - commercial educational military
government nonprofit organization.
3. Source of Information
1. 4 major types of library
Academic libraries serve colleges and universities, their students, staff and faculty. Larger institutions
may have several libraries on their campuses dedicated to serving particular schools such as law and
science libraries. Many academic librarians become specialists in an area of knowledge and can have
faculty status.
Public libraries serve communities of all sizes and types. Wherever you live, there's bound to be a local
public library nearby! As the name implies, public libraries serve the general public, "from cradle to grave"
as more than one public librarian has been heard to say. Public libraries often have departments that focus
on areas of service, such as youth, teens and adults.
School libraries are usually part of a school system, and serve students between Kindergarten and grade
12. Many are called media centers, and librarians are often required to have a second degree in education or
a certificate in school media.
Special libraries offer unique opportunities to work in a specialized environment of interest, such as
corporations, hospitals, the military, museums, private businesses, and the government. Special libraries
can serve particular populations, such as the blind and physically handicapped, while others are dedicated
to special collections, such as the Library of Congress or a presidential library.
2. Internet
The Internet is a global wide area network that connects computer systems across the world. It includes several
high-bandwidth data lines that comprise the Internet "backbone." These lines are connected to major Internet hubs
that distribute data to other locations, such as web servers and ISPs.
3. Indigenous media and information - original information created by a local group of people. This also refers to
content about indigenous peoples that may be distributed through dominant forms of media or through forms of
communication unique to their people group.
Indigenous, adjective. originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
Indigenous Communication includes the transmission of entertainment, news, persuasion,
announcements, and social exchanges of every type among indigenous peoples it is an important aspect of
culture and the means by which a culture is preserved, handed down, and adapted.
Indigenous media and information - original information created by a local group of people. This also
refers to content about indigenous peoples that may be distributed through dominant forms of media or
through forms of communication unique to their people group.
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/assessing-information-communication-needs-quick-and-
easy-guide-those-working
https://www.slideshare.net/markjhonoxillo/media-and-information-sources-78382012
