Information, Communication and Information Policy Questions and Answers

Answer: D

The keyed answer is Beesman, option (D), as the propounder of the term 'Information Transfer'. The term is used for the movement of information from its generators to its users, which is the subject of information science. Ranganathan (A) is known for the Five Laws of Library Science and the Colon Classification, and Calvin Moores (C) for coining the term 'information retrieval'. J. Martin (B) is not associated with this term, so by elimination the key points to Beesman.

Answer: C

According to Voigt's study, the approaches of scientists towards information are the current, the everybody and the exhaustive approaches, option (C), that is (i), (ii) and (iii). The current approach is keeping up with new literature, the everybody approach is looking for the information of general interest, and the exhaustive approach is a thorough search on a topic. Browsing (iv) is not among the three approaches, so options (A), (B) and (D), which include it, are incorrect.

Answer: C

Papyrus was used as a writing material by the Egyptians.

It was made from the pith of the papyrus plant growing along the Nile and was used for rolls from about 3000 BC.

The Sumerians wrote on clay tablets, and the Assyrians also used clay tablets for their libraries, as at Nineveh. The Italians are not associated with papyrus as a first writing material.

Answer: D

The intrinsic value of information lies in its usage.

Information acquires value only when it is used for decision making, research or learning. Procurement, processing and storage, and communication and retrieval are activities that make information available, but they have value only to the extent that the information is finally used.

That is why library and information services are judged by use rather than by size of holdings.

Answer: D

The formula K(S) + ΔI = K(S + ΔS) is propounded by Mandy Brookes (B.C. Brookes).

It is Brookes's fundamental equation of information science. It says that a structure of knowledge K(S) is changed to a new structure K(S + ΔS) by an input of information ΔI, the effect of which is ΔS.

Claude Shannon gave the mathematical theory of communication, Gerbner a model of mass communication, and Osgood a model and the semantic differential. None of them wrote this equation.

Answer: B

The International Advisory Committee on Documentation, Libraries and Archives of UNESCO was established in 1967.

UNESCO set up the committee to advise on its programmes in these fields and to coordinate the planning of documentation, library and archives services.

The other years given, 1966, 1968 and 1969, are distractors that fall close to the correct date.

Answer: B

The sense-making approach to human information behaviour, with four constituent elements, was developed by B. Dervin.

Brenda Dervin's model has four elements: a situation in time and space, a gap in understanding, a bridge that the person builds across the gap, and the outcome, the help or use that results.

T.D. Wilson is known for models of information-seeking behaviour, D. Ellis for a behavioural model of information seeking, and C.C. Kuhlthau for the information search process.

Answer: D

The key matches a-iii, b-i, c-iv, d-ii, which is code (D) iii i iv ii.

In information theory, coding turns a message into a signal. Noise is the disturbance that makes the received signal differ from the one transmitted. Entropy is the measure of uncertainty. Equivocation is the measure of the closeness of relationship between what is sent and what is received.

The other codes tie these terms to the wrong definitions, for example calling entropy the effect of noise.

Answer: B

The correct matching is a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii, which is code (B) iii iv i ii.

The mathematical theory of information is by Shannon. The theory of signs (semiotics) in its modern form is by Charles Morris. The triadic relationship of word, thought and thing is the semiotic triangle of Ogden and Richards. The doctrine of signs, semeiotike, appears in the work of John Locke.

The other codes credit these ideas to the wrong thinkers, for example giving the doctrine of signs to Morris.

Answer: D

Both (A) and (R) are true.

Predatory publishing, in which journals charge fees with little or no peer review, threatens the credibility of scholarly literature. Predatory publishers solicit junior researchers and graduate students by e-mail, with flattering personalised messages inviting submissions, which is the Reason. The Reason describes how predatory publishers work.

Options calling either statement false disagree with the key.