The scope of the book is to examine developing nations deep isolated rural communities’ information exchange environment, some models that explain information search patterns, information needs, and perception on ICT is needed. The book begins by examining several models on information needs, information sources, patterns of seeking information, uptake, and use of technological innovations to establish and explain the constructs of the conceptual framework in chapter one.
Chapter two introduces the constructs underpinning the framework. The constructs include information needs, information seeking patterns and perception of ICT. Maepa (2000) assert that once individual outlined his or her needs with regards to the required information, then directly or indirectly the individual positions themselves to identify the source(s), media, or channels to access the information require. The framework give insight that by examining developing nations deep isolated rural communities’ information needs, information seeking patterns will define the behavioural intention as to access to the types of ICT and usage. Again, assessing perception on ICT and whether they perceive its use to beneficial will lead to individual intention to access certain ICT innovation.
Chapter three details of the technical stages of the framework are given. It covers the generalisation of the framework, theorising the framework as well as the use of Design Science research paradigm in the development and evaluation of the framework. In chapter four detailed explanation of the practical implementation of the framework in rural communities’ communication strategies designs are outlined, along with empirical case studies of rural small-scale farmers in Amathole District Municipality (ADM) of South Africa.
This book has been derived from the author PhD work submitted to Nelson Mandela University South Africa. The book can be used as a support course material in graduate and undergraduate research work around conceptual frameworks design and analysis.
Table of Contents
1.1 Defining information
1.2 Information theories
1.3 Information needs
1.4 Information seeking behaviour
1.5 Information seeking behaviour models
1.6 Wilson's model of information searching behaviour
1.7 Krikelas model (1983)
1.8 Ellis (1989)
1.9 Kuhlthau (1991)
1.10 Dervin's Sense Making theory
1.11 Bates model of information seeking
1.12 Leckie et al (1996) information searching model of Professionals
1.13 Cheuk Wai-Yi's (1998) Information Seeking and Using Process Model
1.14 Optimal Foraging Theory by Sandstrom (1994)
1.15 Blom's Task Performance Model
1.16 Behavioural Model of Information Seeking on the Web by Choo's (1998)
1.17 Comparison between the different information seeking behaviour models
1.18 Factors that influence the searching of information
1.19 Motivation of information seeker
1.20 Linking information seeking and communication
1.21 Methods for measuring information needs, information seeking patterns and sources
1.22 Information use
1.23 Channels of communication
1.24 Mass media
1.25 Interpersonal channels
1.26 Hybrid media
1.27 Information divide between urban-rural areas in developing nations
1.28 Rural-urban digital divide in developing nations
2.1 Information needs and access
2.2 Pattern of seeking, contents, and themes of information
2.3 Technology adoption models and theories of diffusion
2.4 Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DIT)
2.5 Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
2.6 The Communicative Ecology framework and key concepts definition
2.6.1 Access and information need
2.6.2 Pattern of seeking, contents, and themes of information
3.1 The conceptual framework
3.2 The technical stages of the framework
3.2.1 The stakeholder analysis
3.2.2 Information needs analysis
3.2.3 Frame surveys and pathways maps
3.2.4 Existing communication pathways analysis
3.2.5 Specific intervention analysis and design
3.3 Generalisation of the developed framework
3.4 Theorising the developed framework
3.5 The use of DSR in the artefact development in this study and its evaluation
3.5.1 The study uses of DSR
3.5.2 Rigorous evaluation of the created artefact
3.5.3 Criteria used in selecting the experts for the evaluation
3.5.4 The evaluation process of the developed framework
7.5.5 Presentation of expert review findings
7.5.6 Summary of the expert’s findings
4.1 The case study approaches
4.1.1 Overview of ADM
4.1.2 The overview of the six local municipalities of ADM
4.1.3 Social Development Profile of ADM
4.1.4 ADM economic sectors and their contribution to Eastern Cape Province economic development
4.1.5 Overview of agricultural activities in ADM
4.1.6 Profiling of the study population
4.2 Description of the study problem
4.2.1 Research objectives and questions
4.2.2 Scope and limitation of the study
4.2.3 Ethical considerations in the study
4.2.4 Research methodology
4.3 The use of the study findings in the framework technical stages analysis
4.3.1 The stakeholder analysis
4.3.2 Information needs analysis
4.3.3 Frame surveys and pathways maps
4.3.4 Existing communication pathways analysis
4.3.5 Specific intervention analysis and design
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to examine the information exchange processes among rural small-scale farmers in the Amathole District Municipality, South Africa, by investigating their information needs, search patterns, and perceptions of ICT to develop a targeted implementation framework for agricultural communication strategies.
- Information needs and searching patterns of rural small-scale farmers.
- Evaluation of existing communication pathways and ICT adoption levels.
- Development of a conceptual framework using Communicative Ecology and Technology Acceptance Model.
- Practical design of interventions for effective agricultural information dissemination.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Description of the study problem
Irrespective of commodity a small‐scale farmer specializes in, information is critical for achieving efficiency and higher productivity. According to Adio et al., (2018) information is crucial when it comes to agricultural inputs as farmer's decisions on type of crops to plant, what inputs to buy, markets to sell their produce are most of the time influenced by premarket knowledge. To emphasize how essential information is to farmers, it is vital to consider the three‐stages of farming:
• The selection of farming inputs (pre‐cultivation): seeds, animal, land, etc.
•Management of farm inputs (cultivation and harvesting): land preparation, breeding of animals, sowing of seeds, pest, and disease control, harvesting of farm produce, etc.
•Post harvesting: processing of farm produce, packaging, marketing, etc.
Each of the three stages requires critical information for the farmer to make essential decision. Oluoch and Osida (2015) highlights the issue of inability of rural small‐scale farmers to gather critical information efficiently and effectively about agricultural inputs. Consequently, according to Moyo et al., (2015) in sub‐Saharan Africa, farm produce post‐harvest lost stands at about 30 percent of the produce.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1: Provides a comprehensive literature review on information concepts, information seeking behavior models, and the various factors that influence access to information in developing nations.
Chapter 2: Discusses theoretical foundations for the framework, including technology adoption models and Communicative Ecology to define the environment of rural information exchange.
Chapter 3: Details the proposed conceptual framework, its technical stages, and the Design Science Research methodology used to develop and validate the study's primary contribution.
Chapter 4: Presents an empirical case study of small-scale farmers in the Amathole District Municipality, including research findings on their demographic background and current information usage.
Keywords
ICT adoption, small-scale farmers, information needs, information seeking behavior, agricultural extension, rural development, Amathole District Municipality, Communicative Ecology, Technology Acceptance Model, digital divide, information exchange, agricultural productivity, intervention design, South Africa, agricultural knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core purpose of this study?
The study aims to create a framework for assessing and improving ICT adoption among deep isolated rural small-scale farmers to enhance their agricultural productivity.
What are the primary areas of research covered?
The research focuses on understanding farmers' information needs, their habitual search patterns, underlying barriers to ICT use, and the development of technical interventions.
What is the central research question?
The research asks what the behavioral patterns of farmers are when seeking information and how these behaviors contribute to the usage or non-usage of specific ICT tools.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The research utilizes the Design Science Research (DSR) paradigm to construct and evaluate a conceptual framework, supported by both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
What does the main body discuss?
The main body examines existing behavioral models, analyzes socio-economic factors in the Amathole District Municipality, and evaluates expert feedback on the proposed framework design.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include ICT adoption, agricultural small-scale farming, information needs, communicative ecology, and digital divide.
How does the framework address the rural-urban digital divide?
It proposes strategies that prioritize local content and integrate with the specific social and communicative environments already existing within rural communities.
What specific expert feedback was gathered?
Experts emphasized the importance of ensuring the framework remains context-specific and suggested that implementation must foster local ownership to be sustainable for future generations.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Agyei Fosu (Autor:in), 2022, The contemporary era information streaming and developing nations deep isolated rural communities. A conceptual framework, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1288657
