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Information Cycles

Introduction

This unit will help you understand how information is produced and how information about a topic or event changes over time.

Objectives

• Acquire a basic understanding of information production and distribution
• Identify differences among information sources

Making Sense of Information

We take in so much information in so many different forms every day, it's hard to make sense of it all. In extreme cases, we may even experience information overload.

So, it's important to understand that information is produced and distributed according to general patterns, often referred to as Information Cycles. It's not an exact science, but skilled researchers who understand these patterns and know which types of information sources are most appropriate for any given project are likely to achieve consistent success in finding what they need.

Timeline

A news event (such as immigration reform) draws attention to the production of information related to it. That information is part of a continuum that actually begins before the event takes place, is sometimes visible to the public and sometimes not, and may never end, just slow down over time.

Play the movie below to see a general information cycle timeline for current events.

Source Models

This unit provides specific information about various source types. For each source type in this unit, you will find:

• A general description
• Examples of sources for the topic "Do current immigration laws need to be reformed?"
• Tools for finding each source

To begin, select a source type from the index. The sources are arranged in a loosely chronological pattern. We suggest you begin with Invisible College.