Information is a collection of data that has been processed, organized, or presented in a meaningful and useful way to the recipient. It can take many forms, including written or spoken words, images, charts, graphs, or other visual representations. Information can be used to convey knowledge, ideas, or opinions and is often used to help people make decisions or take actions based on that information. It can be communicated through a variety of channels, including books, magazines, newspapers, television, the Internet, and social media.
The quality of information can vary greatly depending on the source, the context, and the intended use. Reliable and accurate information is essential for making informed decisions and achieving positive outcomes. In contrast, false or misleading information can have serious consequences, leading to confusion, misunderstanding, and harm.
In today’s digital age, information is more abundant and accessible than ever. However, this also means individuals need to develop critical thinking skills and evaluate the quality and reliability of the information they receive.
Approaches of information
Four approaches to information: Information is an assembly of data in a comprehensive form recorded on paper or some other medium capable of communication. According to the needs and nature, we found four approaches to information:
- Current approach,
- Everyday approach,
- Exhaustive approach,
- Catching up or Brushing approach.
1. Current approach:
Every active reader must keep himself aware of the current development of his field of work/ study, particularly where developments are made with great speed. He is such cases, consults periodicals, goes through abstract journals, etc.
2. Everyday approach:
This approach is a frequent need of Research workers, in the course of their investigation, for a specific piece of information, such as date, method, and formula. The nature of information is very specific and needs a quick answer. Librarians call it “Short Range Reference Service’. Because of its frequency of occurrence, it is called the “Everyday approach.”
3. Exhaustive approach:
In this approach, research workers depend on documents, attracting documentarists’ attention. A documentation list of other bibliographical lists provides exhaustive information on a particular field of the subject or its area. Such an approach is occasional.
4. Catching up approach:
It is still more occasional. Sometimes the research worker needs information on the subject area that is not his interest. But needs information to supplement his studies on his specific subject area or area of interest. This is likely to be an area in which he is not an expert. In such a situation, the research worker expects to have a communication channel or device which will help him quickly catch up with the subject.
