Utilization of Information and ICT Resources by Parliamentarians in Ghana

G.O. Ofori-Dwumfuo ； Linda Addo

《Current Research Journal of Social Sciences》 4卷3期 (2012/05) Pp. 213-221

並列摘要

This research was carried out to assess the utilization of information resources by parliamentarians in Ghana. Our purpose was to find out their information need and use, what they perceive as information, their reasons for acquiring information, their awareness and extent of usage of information and ICT resources available to them, adequacy and relevance of the information available in the parliament library for their study as well as their preferred ways of receiving information. The Wilson Global Model of Information Behaviour was adopted as our theoretical framework. Using the survey method, questionnaires were used to collect data from 115 members of the Ghana parliament, selected from the 230. The study revealed that the library provides relevant information services to the parliamentarians. However they do not patronize the library as expected, due to their purported busy schedules. There is therefore the need to employ more research assistants to assist them to access information which they prefer in its original, summarized and analysed formats. It also revealed that some members of parliament lack adequate IT skills and therefore must be given some ICT training to enable them access electronic resources more efficiently. The study recommended among others that although some information may be required in their original forms, some other forms should be repackaged to suit the exact needs of the legislators to avoid irrelevances. Furthermore, parliamentary information must also be made available in anticipation of demand in order to avoid delays.

並列關鍵字

Ghana parliamentarians ； information need ； information resources ； information seeking behavior ； resource utilization