Thursday, August 16, 2012

Information needs analysis of selected barangays in Binangonan, Rizal


CHAPTER 1


Statement of the Problem


Introduction
            At the core of Filipino social life is the concept of community as reflected in our own Barangays.  Usherwood (1992: 19), a Library Information Science commentator, conveyed that that there were at least 90 variations of the term community. The variations of community show the remarkable fact that this term has meant so much for humankind as does the term society since its inception in history. Hence, as much as it has been written about in human history, the term community has always been one of those perennial topics. In addition, community has not only been written as tangentially related to any of its many senses, but it has specifically been the topic of many books relating to it at a theoretical and epistemological level. Delanty explains this concept of belonging like this:
“Community offers people what neither society nor the state can offer, namely a sense of belonging in an insecure world. However, community also destroys this by demonstrating the impossibility of finality. The new kinds of community are themselves, like the wider society, too fragmented and pluralized to offer enduring forms of belonging‖ (Delanty, 2003: 192).”

            The researcher uses this conception of belonging that people seek through community. Moreover, Delanty was correct in affirming that the community is a “communicative world that community is revived. In going beyond the symbolic approach of community, I am arguing for a more pronounced constructive approach. The notion of community as a ―symbolic construction suggests a too affirmative sense of community, neglecting its capacity for cultural transformation. It is in this stronger constructivist sense that I argue that community is communicative – communicative of new cultural codes of belonging.... Whether in the form of the numerous nationalisms, ethnicities, multicultural, and communitarian politics, the new and essentially post traditional assertions of community allow little room for a shared public culture, although they presuppose the possibility of shared values... The forms of community are multiple and are expressed in communicative structures that are essentially abstract or imagined –they do not correspond to something clearly visible or to an underlying identity (Delanty, 2003: 191). Therefore, community  or in our case the Barangay is a communicative mechanism where people express their manifest and latent needs and obtain a sense of belonging with other people. It is with this as a backdrop that the researcher proposes a study on the selected communities or barangays in Binangonan, Rizal.        
             
Background of the study
           
            The Municipality of Binangonan  is considered as one of the first-class municipality in the Province of Rizal Philippines. With a total population is around two hundred thirty-eight thousand nine hundred thirty-one (238,931), it is comprised of forty (40) barangays viz.,Bangad, Batingan, Bilibiran, Binitagan, Bombong, Buhangin, Calumpang, Darangan, Ginoong Sanay, Gulod, Habagatan, Ithan, Hanosa, Kalinawan, Kasile, Kaytome, Kinaboogan, KInagatan, Layunan, Libis, Limbon-limbon, Lunsad, Macamot, Mahabang Parang, Malakaban, Mambog, Pag-asa, Palangoy, Pantok, Pinagdilawan, Pipindan, Rayap, San  Carlos Heights, Sapang, Tabon, Tagpos, Tatala and Tayuman (NCSO, 2007).  Fishing is the primary industry in Binangonan as it is surrounded by the Laguna de Bay; noticeable are the Rizal Cement and Granspspan factory that can also be found in Binagonan (binagonan.gov.ph).
Talim Island is a small dagger shaped island located in Laguna Lake. It is divided into two areas. The barangays facing the town of Binangonan, Rizal (composing of 17 barangays) are part of Binangonan, Rizal while the areas facing Cardona, Rizal are part of Cardona. Barangay Gulod is part of Binangonan. It is a tiny barangay bounded by Barangay Kaytome in the north, Barangay Sapang in the south, Mt.Tagapo in the east and Laguna Lake at the western portion. Barangay Janosa has a total area of 7010 hectares. Its adjacent Barangays are Barangay Kaytome at the South and Barangay Buhangin at the North. At the western side of the barangay lies the Laguna Lake and at the East is the Mt Tagapo. The barangay is also separated into four (4) puroks. (binagonan.gov.ph).
The three highlighted barangays I choose for my study, these have been the communities of Asian Social Institute as their community extension for exposures and community development programs.

            Information and Knowledge plays an important role in the global economy, and this is seen as essential in the development of countries, communities and its citizens. (Global Knowledge Partnership, 2000).    In the new era of the information society, information is for all; information is the most important factor in production and creation. How well an individual, an organization, or an entire society can harness, access and share available information will ultimately decide their ability to generate economic growth and to enhance the  quality of life for all. In the information age, people must have adequate knowledge to earn their living and have suitable development.         The effectiveness with which information is generated and communicated determines the rate of progress of a community and the fulfillment of certain needs of its people (Durrance and Pettigrew, 2000). Obviously, it is fundamental to determine and meet the information needs of the community. (Ginman, 1990). Martin (1995) expressed that to help a community develop and keep up with the rapid changes of the global economy, an understanding of information in society will help it to meet the challenges it fosters.  Every community possess localized body of knowledge and information, which if harnessed, would enable it to prosper and thrive.                 The information needs assessment is a useful tool designed not only to chart gather information about the attitude, issues and information of residents in Barangays but also to take action and influence policy.  This is also useful in establishing the presence and resource for community information planning, management and development for the barangays.   Petersen and Alexander (2001: 15) pointed out  that results from needs assessments “can offer useful information for a wide range of reorganizational considerations, including organizational placement of programs within an agency and service delivery approaches”.          Though this demonstrates a broad application and diversity of use for community information needs assessment data, community information profile assessments have particularly important implications in community service delivery. This is also useful in “provide useful information on information use patterns as well as the overall importance of information problems, and, above all, the potential to complement efforts of government and international organizations” (World Bank, 2008).          Reviews the changes taking place in the library and information profession globally, as a result of the social and political changes taking place, considers the degree to which the profession is considering its role as an agent of positive change. It is further argued that the provision of information in this context should be aimed at communities with the central idea that the public library and other potential venues could provide community information which is relevant and supportive of the what is needed in a community information service.

Theoretical Framework
            Extant literature on theories about community information needs and information pointed out to the most relevant to this study are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Information. and Gibson’s Community Information Needs. (Gibson, 2001; Norwood, 2003). Abraham Maslow was one of the greatest psychologists of our times. He was best known for the development of his theory on Hierarchy of Needs (Goud, 2008; Yang, 2003).   Psychologist Abraham Maslow explained that an individual’s needs are arranged in a hierarchy from the low-level Physiological needs that involves basic needs like food, shelter and clothing to the highest-level Self-Actualization. Clark (2004) reported that Maslow’s hierarchy is best noted as a ladder structure, with all humans having the potential to move or climb towards the realization of the self-actualized person. “In this sense, information needs can also be set in a hierarchical manner, and juxtaposed with the Maslow hierarchy for comparative purposes as evinced in the figure presented by (Norwood, 2003).
 














Figure 1.0
Hierarchy of Needs

            Gibson (2001) has reviewed community information needs focusing on four (4) factors which comprised (1) community rights, information access, varying information needs and encouraging access to information.  Figure 3.0 presents her ideas about community information needs.  She argued that communities need information to participate in making informed decisions; furthermore, she stressed that just providing information would not ensure that it would be appreciated and understood, and that the community will disseminate it widely.  The community’s perception and comprehension of information may be affected by how the information itself is conveyed, the process of communication and dissemination themselves, as well as access and use of the information.
Figure 3.0
Gibsons’ (2001) Community Information Needs

Conceptual Framework

             The purpose of the research summarized here is to expand community information practice and theory in a direction that increases our understanding of the dynamics focused on a community setting. Figure 1.0 below presents the diagram of the conceptual framework that will guide this research study.





              

Based on the diagram the following variables and parameters will be considered by the study:

Selected Barargays in Binangonan, Rizal.          This presents the context of the problem. This will focus on the environment, condition and situation, as well as identified needs of the community and the district.  The needs and problems of the schools prior to program implementation and during program implementation will be identified. 

Information. This pertains to the current information sources and use of the communities as well as the expressed need as a result of the study. The processes, activities, Goals and Objectives, Change Strategy, and Social Dynamics, as well as Facilitating and Hindering Factors will be documented.

Outcome. This presents potential outputs and outcome as a result of the study.  This may encompass the change process that may be introduced. Outcome will concentrate on the possible ultimate result/s obtained that can be attributed to future intervention.


Statement of the Problem

            The overall aim of this is to conduct a community information needs analysis of selected barangays of Binangonan, Rizal. The research question of this thesis is captured in the question: What are the community information needs and provision of selected Barangays of Binanonan, Rizal?             Specifically, the research problem can be captured by the following questions:
1)     What are the different Coping Information Needs of the selected Barangays?
2)     What are the different Helping Information Needs of the Selected Barangays?
3)     What are the different Enlightening Information Needs of the Selected Barangays?
4)     What are the different Empowering Information Needs of the Selected Barangays?
5)     What are the different sources of these types of information for the selected barangays?
6)     Are there differences in terms of Information Needs across the Barangays?

Scope and Limitations of the Study

            Results of this study will be specific to the context of selected barangays of Binangonan, Rizal. The possibility for the general applicability of the findings is limited by the scope, the sample, and the socio-cultural and educational context of this study. 
            This study is an attempt to assess the information needs of eight (8) barangays in Binangonan, Rizal.  Specifically, the study would concentrate on the following barangays due to limited time and financial constraints:
            Another limitation of the study is the sample. This is limited only to the available respondents.  In terms of research approaches, survey and in-depth interview will be conducted for this research.  Eight hundred (800) or one hundred (100) per barangay will be tapped for the survey. Based on the initial results and to further supplement the survey,   sixteen (16) or at least two (2) respondents per barangay will be asked to be the key informants for the in-depth interview.      The nature of the information and responses that will be obtained from respondents may affect the participants’ openness and willingness to respond.  Moreover, sample may be affected by respondents’ willingness and availability.

Significance of the Study
            The study could be a very significant one in the absence of similar studies in the context of Binangonan, Rizal.  The findings could be helpful in informing the practitioners, the local and national authorities, and all those interested in educational administration, information management and community development.  Accordingly,  stakeholders and practitioners are likely to benefit from the findings of this study in the following ways:
a.      Community residents and leaders will be able to use the findings as a venue to express their latent needs.
b.      National, local and community level government institutions will be able to use the findings in identifying the problems and issues confronted by the barangays in order to reform, redesign, and formulate relevant policies to address the problems.
c.      The lessons learned from the study can also be applied to similar contexts in other barangays as well as other contexts.
d.      Finally, findings of this study will be a significant addition to the existing stock of knowledge and understanding of Information Needs Assessment in the country.

Definition of Terms

Analysis- The study we do in order to figure out what to do.

Barangays- refers only to the selected barangays identified as site for the                                    study.

Community- This term refers to a group of people living in a particular area.

Community-Based Library- It is a type of library that serves the needs of the                               community. Its roles, goals and objectives are based on                                  the community’s needs and is organized by its residents.

Information- knowledge given to somebody in a form they can understand


Information needs- the requirements of a user or group for information on                                               specific subjects  

public library- a library that serves the general public in a city, town or village

Stakeholders-  For the study, stakeholders are the respondents/key                                informants of the study.  This is limited to community residents and    leaders, LGU and baranggay officials.
CHAPTER 2

                                              Review of Related Literature
               This chapter presents review of existing international and local literature on Information, Information Needs Assessment and Community. 

Foreign Literature

            In the special report, entitled Data, Data Everywhere, the Economist reported that information became ubiquitous. The amount of digital information increases tenfold every five years. A vast amount of that information is shared. By 2013 the amount of traffic flowing over the internet annually will reach 667 exabytes, and the quantity of data continues to grow faster than the ability of the network to carry it all.
The world contains an unimaginably enormous amount of digital information which is getting ever vaster ever more rapidly. This makes it possible to do many things that previously could not be done: spot business trends, prevent diseases, combat crime and so on. Managed well, the data can be used to unlock new sources of economic value, provide fresh insights into science, hold governments to account, and help in community development.
            Understanding what information the people in Barangay levels need and what other information-related interests they might have is fundamental before implementing an information project Eliciting these interests in an urban setting may not be a clear-cut exercise, as barangay residents do not start by understanding the potential of Information in their day-to-day life. The community sometimes tend not to be conscious  of what their information needs may be, even though it is quite evident in the community that there is a great need of information for development. Kaufman’s Organizational Element Model (1987) pointed out to three different result levels of each system (Micro, Macro, and Mega) which can be delved into in assessing needs at each level. 
Figure 4.0
Kaufaman Needs Assessment Model
           
            A Practical Guide to Needs Assessment, by Kavita Gupta and Heekap Lee (2007) initially discussed historic foundation, data gathering methods, four needs assessment approaches and a toolkit that could be of use by the reader in their assessment.  The four needs assessment approaches denote that there are different types of needs assessments that lead to different results.  Identifying the objective of the needs assessment is critical and Gupta has outlined the factors that should be presented to distinguish what assessment the reader should use.  She further explains that a strategic assessment focuses on business strategy and performance evaluation.  Competency base assessments are needed to find what leads to excelling performers.  The job and task analysis identifies what essential tasks are needed to create a training plan.  Lastly, training needs assessments are done to close gaps in current training.
            On the other hand, Mulder et al. (2008) suggested that rich insights can be gained for understanding a community through eliciting what they value and challenges in the community that they are more familiar with, rather than focusing on the potential of innovation and technology.
            Altschuld and Kumar (2010: 20) explained that “needs assessment is the process of identifying needs, prioritizing them, making needs-based decisions, allocating resources, and implementing actions in organizations to resolve problems underlying important needs”. Echoing Bradshaw (1972), the authors elucidated different types of needs viz., (1) Present-versus-Long-term Need; (2) Severe-versus-Slight; (3) Maintennace/Upgrade; (4) Collaborative; (5) Asset or Capacity Building; and (6) Retrospective (Altschuld and Kumar, 2010).
            Soriano (2012) in his book Conducting a Needs Assessment:  A Multidisciplinary Approach, 2nd edition, is a concise, yet informative collection of information that gives the reader a general understanding of needs assessment and its importance in program implementation.  Soriano states that information gathered from a needs assessment is used to make decisions on how allocation of program resources and services should be made.  The parties conducting the assessment must thoroughly understand every aspect of the organization, stakeholders, objectives, goals, reason for assessment, and people involved in the assessment.  This broad approach is outlined so that it may be applied to various organizations. This book goes into detail about different data gathering methods such as focus groups, key informants, interviews, and forecasting.  It also details how these methods can be of use in different service organizations, what kind of results should be expected, and the strengths and weaknesses of each method.  At the end of each section exercises are provided so that the reader may apply what has been learned.  This book is an introductory overview with preliminary steps in conducting needs assessments; however, it is very broad and would need to be followed up using other reference materials in order to truly understand and even remotely consider conducting a needs assessment.
            Pade-Khene et al. (2010: 272) explained that “information needs can be elicited from what is said; and from there, it should be possible to understand the kind of information that people would want to share”. The information needs can be further categorized and analyzed to provides a general macro-level view, supplemented with a micro-level analysis during the planning stage to facilitate the understanding of how information programs and centers may be used to support the local needs (Pade-Khene et. al. 2010).  Moreover, Pade, Mallinson and Sewry (2006) elucidated that, as the community interacts with the technology, a local demand-driven needs analysis should be carried out to pinpoint emerging information needs in the community, so as to promote the sustainability of the programs in the long term.      Buchanan and Gibb (2007) identifying information needs is “central to the effective organizational management of information”.  Henczel (2000) calls this as information audit, focusing on the information sources, resources, show and how information contributes to the objectives of an organization like the Baranggay.  The author highlighted the need to assess information resources  as well as understand how these are used, by whom and for what purpose.  Henczel presented the 









information audit in the figure below.




















Figure 5.0
Henczel (2000) Model

            Henczel made examination into the use of the information as a first-step in the development of a  knowledge management strategy, whereby data from information needs analysis should be transformed to actionable knowledge.   It was highlighted that “more research is required on the topic of information and more of the methodologies need to be tested in practice” (Botha and Boon 2003), as research emphasized the divergence in both practitioners and academics means to develop more reliable information needs assessment approaches that can be applied.   Guenther (2004) stressed that there are no formal rules, tools or methodology on how information needs can be delved into. Jones et al. (2004) observed that Henczel’s model can be adapted as it is systematic and is flexible in organizational context; however, it has not been applied in a social setting like the baranggay.
            Presently, there is no standard or agreed methodological approach within the field, and it is generally left to the practitioner to sort through a myriad of academic and proprietary methods – some more  comprehensive than others. Once an appropriate methodology has been selected, the practitioner is required to identify “the  numerous tools and technique(s) required to support the methodological
process" (Buchanan and Gibb 2007).
            Fiacoff explained that, with the changing times and variegated social needs, libraries should no longer be “strangers to delivering community services, nor to goal-setting, but they need to ensure that they're participants in these larger movements (often called collective impact). It's critical that they're providing what their communities need, and that they, too, are collecting data that illustrate the outcomes of their efforts and tell the stories of their successes…” (Fiacoff, 2012: 1).  This may imply a more active role for libraries-based in the communities, moving from “tracking traditional library outputs [like circulation] to tracking community outcomes that are influenced by the presence of strong libraries” (Fiacoff, 2012: 2). However, this requires more active roles for Librarians in aligning strategies and services to outcomes, as well as becoming more immersed in community needs. It was reported that things that are important for communities are employment skills and workforce development, reading readiness, literacy, business development, and the like. This may be a little bit problematic as generally libraries are perceived to be receptacles of information and information materials only, and not providers and venue to process information. Compelling accounts like these can help reshape perceptions of libraries as community partners and show real outcomes.
Foreign Studies
            Thomas (1998) explored the current and potential role of information in Community Computer Networks (CCNs) in Canada. This study addressed the concepts of community. Data disclosed high relationship between the CCNs and community empowerment and development as information improved knowledge and co-operation within community.
            The SEAMLESS project in the United Kingdom, a two year research project, funded by the British Library, aimed to develop a new model for citizens to foster cooperation between various information providers, and covered the designed and implemented common standards of data transfer between different systems, and facilitation on communication between all users, including the end users, the customers. Day et. al. (1999) documented the considerable impact at local, national and regional levels, with the project’s teams working with significantly more organizations than originally envisaged, thereby demonstrating the need for, and viability of an information model to assist in community empowerment.
            In the United States O’Leary (2000) pointed out that the community information model promoted by the North Star Net (NSN) has produced noticeable results. In fact, it has transformed the local library into a twenty-four hour regional information resource for the 1.6 million residents in the span of five years. Likewise, in Western Australia, the Infolink was discovered to have facilitate the achievement of   an information database system (Infolink) he Library and Information Services of Western Australia (LISWA). LISWA.s mission is to provide and promote equitable access to information resources and services which support theintellectual, economic, cultural, social and recreational needs of the people of Western Australia (LISWA, 2001).
            Closer to home, in 1999, Thailand tapped the community learning centre as avenue for information (Pyakuryal, 2000; United Nations Development Programme, 2002). It was able to pave the way to the creation of open-learning communities, with particular emphasis on innovative community-based programmes combining non-formal education and skill training for income generation, poverty alleviation, and empowerment of marginalized communities. Jorn (2002) reported a similar experience in Myanmar with regards to community learning centre; in terms of outcome, almost 80% of participants have reached a satisfactory level of literacy and numeracy, more so 718 villagers participating where able to participate in these courses as well as other post-literacy interventions.

Local Studies
            Many unpublished studies were written focusing on information needs in the specific sectors and areas in the Philippines (Gozo, 1994; Daza, 1996; Intano, 1999; Jonos, 1999; Umpa, 1999; Servigon, 2000; Jacalan, 2001; Laxamana, 2002; Abad-Jove, 2003; Aquino, 2005; Baylon, 2005)
            Information needs analysis was done at different organizational context for specific purposes. Daza (1996) tried to identify the economic information needs and requirements in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

            In a Barangay setting, but for a different purpose as sought by the current study, information needs of Barangay Women volunteer workers in Iloilo City were studied by Servigon (2000). Based on the findings, an information center should be set up by the Social Laboratory Extension Program of the St. Paul College, Iloilo City. Jacalan (2001) studied the information needs of resident physicians in Northern Mindanao Medical Center; revealing the need for a medical informatics system that would  facilitate effective service delivery, as well as a pre-implementation training to ensure the efficient use of this system.
            In 2003, Abad-Jove focused on the information needs of mango producers in Nueva Ecija in order to facilitate development of the mango producing farmers and develop the industry.   For her Master in Communication Management in the Development Academy of the Philippines, Aquino (2005) focused on the needs of the regional environmental education of the Environmental Management Bureau.
Similar to the research endeavor, Intano (1999) delved in to the information needs of barangay residents in Cantilan, Surigao Del Sur, and as a result she recommended that a school-based information system be established in one of the colleges' library near the area. 
            In the Library Information Science literature, there were identified uses for information needs and these were studied by several researchers. Close to the research at hand, in the Barangay setting,  Gozo (1994) used the  community of Manticao, Misamis Oriental; the research helped in uncovering latent information needs of the community and established the need to develop of its public library to ensure to effective rural library services.  Jonos (1999) look at the information needs of potential and marginalized users of the Caloocan City public library; this produced recommendation for community-based information services Umpa (1999) concentrated on graduate students’ needs in the Mindanao State University Library in their campus for Marawi City; as an outcome library offerings and materials were improved. Similarly, for a Master in Library Science thesis in University of the Philippines – Diliman, Laxamana (2002) determined the users’ information need of the U.P. Diliman Libraries, where the research primarily focused on the use of electronic technologies and fostered its power. Most recently, Baylon (2005) had reported about the information needs of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; similar to the previous researches, data became bases for the establishment of a community information center that caters to community’s information needs.

Justification for the current study
            This chapter comprises a review of the relevant literature which relates to this investigation. At the outset the interrelatedness of information needs and community information needs together with some of the related theoretical considerations behind these concepts are explicated. The mining industry is examined as an example of how a community and the advent of a business enterprise might interact. Then follows discussion of the following concepts: community empowerment, information models and information systems, community information database systems, information for community development, and information as it relates to social quality. Some application of these concepts to real life situations are recorded and Case Studies are presented exemplifying their use in developed and developing countries The review ensures a better understanding of the above concepts, thus providing insights into the many aspects of community information needs in general, and for the aims of this research to develop a new model for this endeavour.

Chapter 3
Research Methodology
            This section highlights the methodology used in this research and approaches that will be utilized to gather the necessary data.

Research Design
            This is a descriptive study as it is an information needs assessment of the selected Barangays in Binangonan, Rizal.
            The descriptive study is the general procedure employed in describing social phenomena in detail as opposed to explaining and specifying how social phenomena occurred (Babbie, 2003; Mertens, 1998; Yin, 2003). 
            Triangulation will be an integral methodological thrust of this thesis as this is a multitrait/multimethod/mixed-method research (Babbie, 2003; Creswell, 2006, 2008; Donaldson, et.al., 2008).   For the purpose of this study, Creswell's methodological rigor and scope of a mixed method research is adhered to: “As a methodology, it involves philosophical assumptions that guide the direction of the collection and analysis of data and the mixture of qualitative and quantitative approaches in many phases of research process.” (Cresswell, 2006: 5).
Research Methods Used
            Creswell (2006: 5) conveyed that “...the use of quantitative and qualitative approaches in combination provides a better understanding of research problems than either approach allone.” Consequently, as this is a program-based evaluation, a mixed-method  methodology will be utilized.  This study is an integration of both the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data (Creswell, 2006; Tashakori and Teddie, 2003). 
            Qualitative data sources are appropriate to ascertain meaning (Denzin and Lincoln, 2007). Stake (1995: 45) declared that “Qualitative research tries to establish an empathetic understanding for the reader, through description, sometimes thick description, conveying to the reader what the experience itself would convey”.   Denzin  (1989) emphasized that, when people talk about themselves, they convey the meaning of their practices as well as the subjective interpretation of their acts. Qualitative data investigate a contemporary social phenomenon within its real-life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident (Creswell, 2007;  Silverman, 2007; Silverman and Marvasti, 2008).  Furthermore, Yin (2003) pointed out that qualitative research that is based on multiple more data points, mediates triangualtion and data convergence and leads to the prior development of theoretical propositions to guide data collection and analysis.
            On the other hand, quantitative data will come from the survey of selected stakeholders. Quantitative information may also be found in secondary data like LGU nd baranggay  formal reports. 
Research Locale
            This study is an attempt to assess information needs of selected Barangays in Binangonan, Rizal.    Specifically, the study would concentrate on the following three (3) barangays:
         Buhangin
         Gulod
         Janosa
Research Procedures
            This study will use a survey as the primary method for the study.  Before the survey, the researcher prepared a letter of requests to the Barangay for permission to conduct the study in the respective communities.
            A questionnaire will be distributed per respondent per Barangay.  Three hundred (300) respondents or one hundred (100) per barangay will be tapped for the survey. Respondents are stakeholders who have knowledge and prior understanding of certain information needs of their communities.
Research Instrument
            Bourke (2005) simply states that questionnaires are used to obtain two different types of information: (1) background information such as age, gender, amount of schooling, etc, (2) attitudinal information about some specific events, way of behaving, quality of life, other persons, etc.  In the first case, even though the same information could also be gathered in other ways, e.g. from institutional records, a questionnaire is simply a convenient way of obtaining the information.  In the second case, a number of items are asked about each attitude or opinion in an attempt to tap various aspects underlying beliefs or feelings which gives rise to the attitudes.  Similarly, Oppenheim (1996:174) affirms that the questionnaires are one way of obtaining a measure of attitude. The attitudes have two components: beliefs (cognitive) and feelings (emotional or affective). Responses to questionnaire items are what respondents say their belief or say they would do, which are taken as indicators of their beliefs, attitudes and likely behavior.  
            According to Burns (1994: 349) the use of questionnaires in research is based on one basic underlying assumption: that the respondent will be both willing and able to give truthful answers.  He explains three kinds of items which are generally used in the construction of questionnaires, namely, closed items, open-ended items, and scale items. The close items allow the respondents to choose from two or more fixed alternatives, for example, the dichotomous items which provide two alternative only: yes or no.  The open-ended items simply supply a frame of reference for respondents’ answer, couple with a minimum of restraint or command on their expression. Thus, in open-ended items, respondents provide the answers in their own words. The scale is a set of items to which the respondents respond by indicating degrees of agreement or disagreement.
            The questionnaire will be characterized by the three types of item construction mentioned above, as well as a selected response format of Likert scale on specific areas.
            For this purpose, the proposed questionnaire will be refined with a pre-testing and face validity based on existing literature and with meeting with academic researchers.  Likewise, the interview guide will be shown to an expert for review and approval.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
                                    Socio-demographic data and other quantitative data will be tabulated. Survey data will be tabulated, analyzed and interpreted. When the entire survey questionnaire has been collected, the researcher will use statistics to analyse all the data. The statistical formulae that will be employed in the survey questionnaire will be the following:
1.    Frequency – to determine the number of responses per item.
2.    Percentage – to determine the magnitude of the responses to the questionnaire.
n
% = -------- x 100         ;           n – number of responses
N                                 N – total number of respondents

3.        Weighted Mean

f1x1 + f2x2  + f3x3 + f4x4  + f5x5
x = ---------------------------------------------  ;
xt

where:             f – weight given to each response
                        x – number of responses
                        xt – total number of responses

4.                  Ranking – Information needs and sources will be ranked according to preference by the respondents.
5.                  Chi-Square
                       To evaluate the information gathered, the following analysis instruments are used: percentage analysis, mean and median analysis, standard deviation,  and SPSS software will be used for complex statistical analysis of information gathered from the questionnaire survey.
BIBLIOGRAPHY



Books

Altschuld, J. and Kumar, D. (2010). Needs Assessment: An Overview. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Babbie, E. (2003). The Practice of Social Research. Belmont:Wadsworth.

Cheng, K.M. (2007) Facing the knowledge society: Reforming secondary education in Shanghai and Hong Kong. World Bank Working Paper. Washington, D.C.: World Bank 
Cresswell, J. (2006). Designing and Conducting Mixed-Methods Research. Thousand Oaks (Sage).

Creswell, J. (2007). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches . Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Creswell, J. (2008). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed-Method Approaches, 3rd  ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Crotty, M. (2003). The foundations of social research: Meaning and perspective in the research process. London: Sage.

Delanty, G. (2003). Community. London; New York: Routledge.

Delanty, G. (2005). Social Science: Philosophical and Methodological Foundations. Second Edition. Berkshire, UK; NY: Open University Press; McGraw Hill Education, (Collection: Concepts in the Social Sciences).

Denzin, N. K., and Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). Introduction: The discipline and practice qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp. 1-32). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Denzin, N. K., and Lincoln, Y. S. (2007). Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Green, R. (2000). Marginalised groups and community development: inclusion through community need profiling. London: University of Herfordshire.

Gupta, K. and Lee, H. (2007). A practical guide to needs assessment.  New York: Wiley.

Kaniki, A.M. (2001). ―Community profiling and needs assessment.‖ In: Stilwell, C., Leach, A. & Burton, S. (Eds.). (2001). Knowledge, Information and Development: an African Perspective. Scottsville, South Africa: School of Human and Social Studies, University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg), pp. 187-199 (Research Series No. 1).

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McDowell, O. (1992). ―Inter-agency cooperation.‖ In: Kinnell, M. (Ed.) (1992). Informing Communities: the Role of Libraries and Information Services. Newcastle, UK: CSG Publishing, p. 231-250.

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Merriam, S. B. (1998). Qualitative Research and Case Study Applications in Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Norwood, G. (2003). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Retrieved July, 6, 2003, from http://www.deepermind.com/20maslow.htm.

O'Leary, M. (2000). NorthStarNet: a model for community information. Online, 51.

Scholtz, V. (2003). The information society and knowledge management: issues for Africa. Paper presented at the world forum on the information society 2003.

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Journal Articles and Studies

Economist. (2010). Data, Data Everywhere, The Economist Special Report (February 25, 2010). London: Economist.

Fialkoff, F. (2012). “Moving to Outcomes”, Library Journal, 137.

Marcella, R. & Baxter, G. (2000). “The impact of social class and status on citizenship information need: the results of two national surveys in the UK”. Journal of Information Science, 26, (4), 239-254.

Mitchell, W. & Sloper, P. (2002). “Information that informs rather than alienates families with disabled children: developing a model of good practice”. Health and Social Care in the Community, 10 (1), 74-81.

Moore, N. (2002) “A model of social information need”. Journal of Information Science, 28 (4), 297-303.

Muddiman, D. (et. al). (2000b). Open To All? : The Public Library And Social Exclusion. Vol.3. Working Papers. London: Resource (Library and Information Commission Research Report No. 86).

Pyakuryal, K. (2000). “Community Empowerment through Community Learning Centres in Thailand”. PAI, 22-24.

Rowlatt, M., Day, C., Morris, & Robert, D. (1998). SEAMMLESS: an organisational and technical model for seamless access to distributed public information. Retrieved 5/12/2003, 2003, from http://www.exploit-lib.org/issue4/seamless/

Thailand Development Research Institute. (2004). “The role of information technology in the information society in the year 2010”. TDRI Quarterly Review, 7(2), 24-31.

The Library and Information Services of Western Australia. (2001a). J S Battye Library of West Australian History: Collection development policy and Inforlink database policy 2001-2005. Perth, WA: The Library & Information Services of Western Australia.

Unpublished Materials

Aquino, Carmen M. (2005). IEC training needs of regional environmental education and information officers of Environmental Management Bureau. Master’s Thesis. Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, Greenhills, San Juan. 

Daza, Ma. Teresita C. (1996).  Consultative approach to the identification of economic information needs and requirements in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Master’s Thesis. Development Academy of the Philippines, Pasig City. 

Gozo, Bennet G. (1994). Information needs of the community of Manticao, Misamis Oriental and awareness of its public library: their implications to effective rural library services. Master’s Thesis. MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligian City.

Intano, Candida A. (1999). The Information needs of barangay residents in Cantilan, Surigao Del Sur : bases for a school based information center at Saint Michael's College Library. Master’s Thesis. University of San Carlos, Cebu City. 

Jacalan, Sarah Belen D. (2001). Information needs of resident physicians in Northern Mindanao Medical Center: a medical informatics training program. Master’s Thesis, University of San Carlos, Cebu City.

Jonos, Corazon A.  (1999). Information needs of potential and marginalized users of the Caloocan City public library: implications for community-based information services. Master’s Thesis, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Jove, Luz A. (2003). Information needs of mango producers in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Master’s Thesis. Central Luzon State University, Munoz.

Laxamana, Evelyn O. (2002). Use of electronic technologies in the University of the Philippines Diliman Libraries and its effects on users' information needs. Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

Maleevan, Oravadae. (1986). Information needs and patterns of information use of the users of the Division of Scientific and Technological Information (DSTI) Thailand: survey with implication for enhancement of library facilities and information services. Master’s Thesis, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Servigon, Wilma B. (2000). Information needs of Barangay women volunteer workers : proposed information center for the Social Laboratory Extension Program (SLEP) of St. Paul College, Iloilo City. Master’s Thesis. University of San Carlos, Cebu City.

Umpa, Amina D. (1999). The Information needs of the graduate students at the Mindanao State University Library. Master’s Thesis. MSU, Marawi City.

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