Can two established information models explain the information behaviour of visually impaired people seeking health and social care information?
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which two existing models of information behaviour could explain the information behaviour of visually impaired people seeking health and social care information.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was conducted within a constructivist paradigm. A total of 28 semi‐structured interviews (face‐to‐face or telephone) with 31 visually impaired people were conducted. Framework analysis was used to analyse the results.
Findings
This study identified several factors that may affect a visually impaired person's information behaviour. These related to the presence of other health conditions or disabilities, participants' understanding of the word “information”, their interactions with information providers, their degree of independence, the support they received from friends and family, their acceptance of their own visual impairment, as well as their awareness of other visual impairments, their registration status and their willingness and ability to pay for aids, adaptations and equipment.
Originality/ value
This study provides a new and valuable insight into the information behaviour of visually impaired people, as well as testing the applicability of a specific and generic information model to the information behaviour of visually impaired people seeking health and social care information.
Keywords
Citation
Beverley, C.A., Bath, P.A. and Barber, R. (2007), "Can two established information models explain the information behaviour of visually impaired people seeking health and social care information?", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 63 No. 1, pp. 9-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/00220410710723867
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited