FACTORS FUELING HEAVY DEMAND FOR INFORMATION
Information is an assemblage of data that has been processed, has meaning, can be used to communicate and is usually recorded in a kind of media for purposes of dissemination. According to Wikipedia.org information is defined as a collection of related data that has been processed into a format that is understandable by its intended users.
Information has become a critical aspect of our lives and the society at large; therefore, each and every person must acquire information to make any substantial developments in their lives. This has provoked an urge to seek information in almost each and every person in the society today. This urge is driven by certain factors of our lives and some of them include:
- Population increase.
- Education
- Emerging issues
- Technological advancements
- Natural disasters and pandemics
- Religion
- Administration
- Employment
- Intellectual curiosity
- General needs
An increase in the number of people living in a given region directly translates to an increase in the number of people seeking for information.
This comes about due to several factors that emerge as a result of population increase; administrators of the population will develop information seeking behavior for the reasons of satisfying their people in their administrative roles. This may be in terms of food security, housing problems and congestion on social amenities. Ordinary people in society will also seek information to help them solve their personal problems that may include food scarcity, higher unemployment rates, increased insecurity, poor housing facilities among a host of many other problems. In the end, population increase drives people to start seeking information whereas the experienced information consumers will increase their demand for information to satisfy their increased demands for information.
According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (7th ed., 2005) education, refers to the formal system of teaching training and learning especially in schools and colleges to improve knowledge and acquire skills. These knowledge and skills are considered fundamental in society and the well being of an individual.
In the teaching process, instructors require knowledge and information to prepare for their lessons and material for dissemination to their students.
Students also require information to expound on what they have been taught in class so as to expand their knowledge base. Students have also been noted to seek more information during examination periods so as to excel in evaluation of what they have learnt.
They also seek information when undertaking research projects e.g. when writing theses or dissertations for partial awarding their degrees. Faculty members are also constantly engaged in research with the purpose of expanding knowledge in their areas of specialization. All these requires for a constant demand for information.
Introduction of new curriculum and fields of knowledge in an education system would also call for one to get more information for purposes of remaining relevant and up to date the requirements of the new system.
It has also been noted that many a times, education stimulates curiosity in people and the urge to seek more information about a subject that he/she has been introduced to in class and finds it more interesting and worth spending more time to read and learn more about it. Furthermore, education increases literacy levels in the society. This also directly translates to more people in society seeking for information because literate people are better known to consume more information than the illiterate. In its entirety, education generates a great demand for information as the system is in itself dependent on dissemination and acquisition of information.
3. Emerging issues:
These refer to new developments and emergence of various aspects that draw a substantial amount of interest to people in society. This may also involve current affairs that draw a lot of interest from the public, for instance the publication of the draft constitution at the time of this writing has generated unprecedented interest and there are a lot of people currently who are seeking information about this document and its contents.
The emergence of diseases that have never ailed humanity in the past and other calamities is another factor that draws a lot of demand for information. For instance the occurrence of H1N1 (swine flu) and H5N1 (avian flu) sparked a lot of people both in the research field, doctors and even administrators to seek information concerning management and treatment of these new strains of flu. Occurrences of disasters like the Tsunami that rocked Asia and other parts of the world also sparked a lot of people into seeking information about mitigation of such events should they recur in future. From a general aspect, emerging issues are constantly generated in the society and therefore will continue to draw a lot of demand for information.
4. Technological advancements:
This refers to improvements experienced in the field of information technology such as advanced computer systems with superior capabilities that generate information in a timely and more effective way than previous systems.
The field of information technology is a very dynamic one. People in this field e.g. computer engineers and technicians constantly require information to find out what new developments have come about that can help them better render their services to people in other fields.
Technological advancements have also been accredited with improved systems of acquiring and disseminating information to people. Therefore, more people are able to access and disseminate information.
Information consumers are also faced with the need to acquire technical knowhow of using information technology systems as information is largely disseminated through these systems. For them to be able to use these systems effectively, they also need information on how to use and navigate their way around the digital environment. Similarly, information custodians will also need information concerning operation and usability of various systems for them to be well positioned to assist their clients during retrieval of information. The dynamic nature of the field of information technology is therefore an important contributor to a heavy demand for information as people from all walks of life are constantly exposed to new developments in the field every day.
5. Natural disasters and pandemics:
These are usually, uncontrollable natural occurrences that cause extensive destruction of both property and human lives. Some examples of natural disasters include hurricanes Katrina in places like New Orleans, San Francisco in the USA. This creates demand for information in the sense that people who are probable victims will seek to know when they are likely to strike so they can plan and stay when they are prepared to mitigate anticipated damage.
Droughts and long rain seasons e.g. Elnino rains too are a threat to the well being of humanity and therefore have also contributed to the demand for information. For instance, this is probably the reason why weather forecasters constantly analyze weather patterns and disseminate information concerning expected weathers patterns. In situations of drought and hunger information is sought by administrators to determine how many people and from which regions will require attention. People will also seek information concerning availability of food and how to have food security in future. All these factors combined will eventually lead to an increased demand for information because are constantly wary of natural disasters and pandemics and aiming to stay safe from them.
6. Religion:
It refers to the belief in the existence of a Supreme Being or beings and the practice of all that involve the worshiping of this Supreme Being. Religion is one other factor that creates demand for information in society. This is because people need reliable information that will enhance a better understanding of God and also help to strengthen their faith and beliefs. This helps to attain an inner satisfaction and a state of well being.
Some people also need information to defend their faith and beliefs. For instance, a Christian might need information and even quote from the Bible to drive a point home when trying to convince people concerning a certain claim. Similarly, a Muslim may quote the Quran to drive his point home. The great demand for information on religious matters is also supported by the fact that the Bible is the world’s most published and widely read book and has the least reprography restrictions. The fact that religious information is required by people from all walks of life and at all levels of development means that religious information is disseminated and consumed both in social and educational circles.
7. Administration:
It refers to the government system of exercising power over its subjects within a given geographical area.
Population increase and growth in complexity of the society brings about the need for administration.
It involves application of laws and regulations that determine how people co-exist peacefully with each other in society. Administrators require information concerning such facts as the number of people within their jurisdiction for better service delivery and planning for the people. This explains why the government of Kenya conducts a national census on a periodical basis of every 10 years to obtain the actual head count of its people.
The ordinary people also need information concerning the government’s policies and regulations some of which include taxation requirements or duties and responsibilities bestowed upon the citizenry by the government of the day.
Both administrators and their subjects are thus a major factor that contributes to the heavy demand for information as information is a primary requirement in their day to day endeavours.
