Exploring information divide based on a theoretical view of information source horizon

• 作者: Hui YAN Shenglong HAN Wenjie ZHOU
• 来源期刊: 中国图书馆学报年刊(英文版)
• 学科: 社会科学
• 年，卷（期）: 2015,（1）
• 页码范围: 163-178
• 页数: 16页
• 分类号: G250

摘要

This study sheds light on the information divide based on a theoretical view of Information Source Horizon proposed by Reijo Savolainen. Through a field study, the subjective factors and objective factors have been explored. Aiming to understand the differentiation of information richness or poorness among various people, this paper makes a comparative analysis on the broadness of information source horizon across different groups divided by demographics. Firstly, information richness is not only utilizing the socially designed information space adequately, but also brings subjective dynamics into information practice initiatively. Secondly, people who are unable to get access to these types of information sources own a relatively high possibility to fall into poor information situations. Thirdly, a complex relationship is built between the broadness of information source horizon and demographics of the sample. This study tries to interpret the information divide through a new theoretical perspective, and thus this endeavor is helpful for deepening of information divide research. The findings of this study imply new ideas for governance of information poverty. Creative connections between information source horizon theory and information divide phenomena have been made. Therefore, we contribute a new exploration and explanation for information divide.