There are more than few common examples of information need that you need to know as a living individual in today’s world. As crucial as information is, nobody can undermine the place of importance which the sharing of information or the desire to get information takes.
Therefore, it should be said that information need is often understood as an individual or group’s desire to locate and obtain information to satisfy a conscious or unconscious need. Rarely mentioned in general literature about needs, it is a common term in information science.
Information Need Has Four Levels:
- The conscious and unconscious need for information not existing in the remembered experience of the investigator. In terms of the query range, this level might be called the “ideal question” — the question which would bring from the ideal system exactly what the inquirer, if he could state his need. It is the actual, but unexpressed, need for information
- The conscious mental description of an ill-defined question. In this level, the inquirer has a conscious information need in the mind and might talk to someone else in the field to get an answer.
- A researcher forms a rational statement of his question. This statement is a rational and unambiguous description of the inquirer’s doubts.
- The question as presented to the information system.
Common Examples of Information Need
Information needs can vary in terms of complexity, urgency, and specificity depending on the situation and the person’s level of knowledge and expertise. Here are some of the examples of information need that you may care to know if granted the opportunity to read through them:
1. General Information Need
General information need refers to a person’s desire for knowledge and understanding about a particular topic that may not be specifically related to a task or goal. This type of information need is often driven by curiosity or a desire to learn something new.
General information needs can include topics such as history, science, literature, art, and music, among others. They are often fulfilled through sources such as books, articles, documentaries, podcasts, and online resources.
Examples of general information needs include wanting to learn about a new subject, wanting to keep up-to-date with current events, or simply wanting to expand one’s knowledge base.
2. Group Information Need
Group information need refers to the information requirements of a group of people working together to achieve a common goal. This type of information need is often related to decision-making or problem-solving and requires effective communication and collaboration among group members.
Group information needs can be fulfilled through sources such as group meetings, surveys, interviews, and online collaboration tools.
Examples of group information needs include wanting to make an informed decision about a project, wanting to understand the preferences or needs of a particular audience or customer base, or want to identify and address a problem or challenge faced by the group.
3. Formalized Need
The formalized need is a higher level of information need and refers to a person’s need for information that is structured or formalized in some way.
This level of need is often related to professional or academic settings and requires information that is reliable, accurate, and verifiable. Formalized needs are often fulfilled through sources such as academic journals, professional publications, or databases.
Examples of formalized needs include wanting to conduct a literature review for a research project, wanting to find reliable statistics for a business presentation, or wanting to verify the accuracy of a news story before sharing it on social media.
4. Compromised Need
The compromised need is the highest level of information need and refers to a person’s need for information that may be compromised or restricted in some way. This level of need is often related to sensitive or classified information and requires special permissions or clearances to access.
Compromised needs are often fulfilled through sources such as government agencies, security clearance databases, or confidential consultations with experts.
Examples of compromised needs include wanting to access classified government documents, wanting to learn about sensitive corporate information, or wanting to access confidential medical records.
5. Conscious Need
The conscious need is the next level of information need and refers to a person’s more deliberate or intentional desire for information. This level of need is often related to a specific task or goal and requires more conscious effort to fulfill.
Read Also: The Role of Information Education and Communication
Conscious needs are often fulfilled through sources such as research, consulting with experts, or seeking out information from reliable sources.
Examples of conscious needs include wanting to learn more about a particular topic for a school assignment, wanting to find a solution to a problem at work, or wanting to make an informed decision about a major purchase.
6. Social Information Need
Social information need refers to a person’s desire for information about others or social situations. This type of information need may arise when a person is trying to build a new relationship, navigate a social situation, or understand cultural norms.
Social information needs can be fulfilled through a variety of sources, including social media, conversations with others, books or articles about social behavior, and cultural events or experiences.
Examples of social information needs include wanting to learn more about a particular culture or community, wanting to improve one’s communication or social skills, or wanting to understand the behavior or preferences of a particular individual or group.
7. The Visceral Need
The visceral need is the lowest level of information need and refers to a person’s instinctual or emotional desire for information. This level of need is often driven by basic human needs such as survival, pleasure, or avoidance of pain.
Visceral needs are often fulfilled through sources such as gossip, hearsay, or personal experience.
Examples of visceral needs include wanting to know the latest celebrity gossip or wanting to learn more about a potential danger in one’s environment.
8. Individual Information Need
Individual information need refers to a person’s desire for information that is specific to their task or goal. This type of information need may arise in a variety of settings, such as work, school, or personal life.
Individual information needs can be fulfilled through sources such as books, online research, consultations with experts, or hands-on learning experiences.
Examples of individual information needs include wanting to find a particular piece of information to complete a project, wanting to learn a new skill or technique, or wanting to solve a problem or challenge faced in one’s personal or professional life.
