Information: Types, Characteristics, Nature and Use || College Librarian

Definition:

                    In Library Science, the term information refers to the incorporation of data, organization, or classification with significance, indicating a form of processing or understanding.

               Information needs are the particular requirements or wishes for obtaining knowledge, data, or insights to achieve a specific goal or answer a question.

                    Information can be presented in various formats, such as written content, pictures, videos, and audio files. Information can be accessed through different avenues, including books, the internet, and social media platforms.

Characteristics of Information:

• Accuracy: Data should be accurate and reliable, devoid of mistakes and misrepresentations, instilling confidence in its usability and trustworthiness.

• Timeliness: Punctuality is crucial when it comes to information, it must be current and pertinent so that decisions made are not based on incorrect data due to outdated information.

• Completeness: Information should be complete, providing all the necessary details required for understanding and decision-making.

• Comparability: One of the four qualitative characteristics that should enhance the usefulness of information.

• Verifiability: One of the four qualitative characteristics that should enhance the usefulness of information.

• Understandability: One of the four qualitative characteristics that should enhance the usefulness of information.

• Purpose-oriented

• Quantitative

• Comprehensive: Information needs to be comprehensive, relevant, complete, available, reliable, concise, timely, flexible, explicit, bias-free, valid, factual, verifiable, current, broad in coverage, and cost-effective to be useful.

Types of Information:

• Conceptual information: Conceptual information pertains to information that is connected to ideas, concepts, or principles that are abstract or theoretical in nature. It is commonly employed in academic or philosophical discussions to explore larger concepts or ideas that are not directly linked to specific instances or examples. Conceptual information is frequently utilized as a basis or structure to comprehend more detailed or practical information. It can also serve to clarify intricate concepts or to draw associations between seemingly unconnected subjects.

• Empirical information: Empirical information comes from directly observing, conducting experiments, or personal experience. It relies on data that can be quantified or confirmed using unbiased and consistent means. In scientific research, empirical data is frequently utilized and acquired through experiments, surveys, or various other types of data collection methods.

• Procedural information: Procedural information is information that gives instructions, guidance, or steps on how to carry out a task or finish a process. It is commonly depicted as a manual, guide, or SOP. Procedural information is frequently utilized in manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation sectors, where precise and consistent procedures are essential to guarantee safety, quality, and productivity.

• Stimulatory Information: Stimulatory information refers to information intended to provoke or stimulate a reaction or response from the audience. This type of information is often used in advertising, marketing, or public relations campaigns, where the goal is to capture the audience’s attention and encourage them to take action. Stimulatory information may be designed to evoke a particular emotion, such as excitement, fear, or curiosity, or it may be intended to challenge or inspire the audience to think differently. 

• Policy Information: Policy information refers to information that pertains to government policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines that affect individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. It includes information about policy objectives, processes, outcomes, policy implementation, and evaluation data. Policy information is often used to inform decision-making and monitor policies’ effectiveness over time.

• Descriptive information: Descriptive information refers to information that describes a particular object, person, event, or situation in detail. It may include appearance, size, shape, colour, texture, or behaviour. Descriptive information is often used to create a mental image or picture of something or to provide a complete understanding of a particular topic or concept. 

Nature of Information:

The nature of information includes its forms, sources, and transmission methods. Understanding the nature of information helps library professionals organize and acquire relevant knowledge resources. The nature of information encompasses its various forms, sources, and modes of transmission. 

• Forms of Information: Data can be presented in text, numeric, graphical, audiovisual, and multimedia formats, among other formats. 

• Information sources: Both primary and secondary sources can yield information. While secondary sources gather and analyse already-existing data, primary sources offer firsthand knowledge. 

• Modes of Transmission: Print media, electronic resources, oral communication, and digital platforms are just a few of the avenues via which information can be shared. 

• Information Overload: The amount of information available has increased exponentially in the digital age. The term "information overload" describes the deluge of information that people are exposed to, which makes it difficult to comprehend and apply efficiently.

Benefits of Information:

• Knowledge: Data aids in our understanding of a variety of themes, topics, and domains. We may increase our knowledge base, pick up new skills, and become experts in a variety of fields with the aid of information.

• Making Decisions: Information is essential for making well-informed decisions while making decisions. It aids in option evaluation, risk and benefit analysis, and decision-making.

• Innovation: A major force behind innovation is information. It stimulates fresh thinking, makes it easier to spot fresh possibilities, and speeds up the creation of new goods, services, and technological advancements.

• Cooperation: Information makes it easier for individuals and groups to work together and cooperate. It facilitates idea sharing, effort coordination, and teamwork towards shared objectives.

• Empowerment: By providing people with access to opportunities, resources, and knowledge, information empowers people. It gives us the power to take charge of our lives, make wise decisions, and go after our ambitions.

• Economic Growth: The development and expansion of the economy depend heavily on information. It assists us in locating market prospects, streamlining production procedures, and developing fresh goods and services that satisfy customer demands.

• Personal Development: By offering fresh viewpoints, ideas, and insights, information aids in the development of the individual. It improves our capacity for critical thought, widens our perspective, and fosters our capacity for creativity and problem-solving.

Use of Information:

A hypothesis can be proven or refuted, described and/or predicted, new ideas can be developed, an idea can be translated into physical development, an existing material item or phenomenon can be modified, and/or psychological fulfilment can be achieved by the use of information.

In library science, information is utilised for:

1. Close the distance between people, data, and technology
2. Create and implement knowledge-based organisations.
3. Provide resources for readers' advice.
4. Assist students in finding materials
5. Find resources for support during personal and family emergencies.
6. Customise services to satisfy users' unique information demands.
7. Obtain and arrange resources more efficiently
8. Provide pertinent training courses
9. Make your interfaces user-friendly.
10. Create tactics for communicating that work. 

References:

1.https://www.lisedunetwork.com/definition-and-types-of-information/#:~:text=Ashikuzzaman%20February%204%2C%202014%20Updated,Internet%2C%20and%20social%20media%20platforms.

2. Google results get from AI tools Generator.

3. https://study.niteshkverma.com/materials/201_1.1.php#:~:text=Nature%20of%20Information:,and%20organizing%20relevant%20knowledge%20resources.