Types of Information Ms Bentil1

Types of Information  There are basically five (5) types of information: a) Public Domain Information b)Private Information c) Personal Information d) Academic Information e) Research Information Ms Bentil 2

Public Domain Information(PDI)  Also known as ‘Information Commons’ or ‘Knowledge commons’  Information accessible to the general public within normal requirements of law and commerce. 3 Ms Bentil

Sources of PDI  Books  Websites  Newspapers  Magazines  Radio  Television  Government publications Ms Bentil4

 All information emanating from government bodies is public information in principle.  Examples of PDI include: -Information about human rights, -Threats to the environment - Health Ms Bentil 5

Problems of Access to PDI 1. Economic constraints: For eg. newspapers and books are for sale and not free. 2. Under stocked libraries and information centres. 3. Information that is electronically available has its own problems of accessibility. Ms Bentil 6

4. Access to some online databases or government publications is expensive. 5. Unavailable internet access in rural communities. 6. Unreliable power supply. Ms Bentil 7

Solution  Information centres and libraries, especially public libraries. Ms Bentil 8

Private Information  This is information that is not meant for public consumption.  Information relating to companies, organisations, institutions and groups.  Examples: production information, marketing information and financial information Ms Bentil 9

The need for private information 1. For competitive advantage. 2. To protect the image of an organisation or a product.  Eg Tobacco has been found to be a slow killer yet manufacturers hide it from consumers and advertise it; coca-cola, drugs etc Ms Bentil 10

Governments and private information  Civil and public servants take oaths of secrecy.  It is common to find many files and documents tagged ‘confidential’, ‘secret and confidential’, ‘for your eyes only’, etc. Ms Bentil 11

 Arguments by advocates of open government and human rights: a) Governments are elected by the people. b) Governments need to be transparent. c) Keeping information breeds corruption. Ms Bentil 12

Personal Information  Recorded information about an identifiable individual.  It is universally accepted that some information relating to an individual is personal and therefore should be confidential. Ms Bentil 13

Types of Personal Information Personal Descriptors – Name, Address, Telephone number, weight, height, etc Identification Numbers – Pin numbers, Social Security numbers, Credit Card numbers Health – Health records, blood type, etc Ms Bentil 14

 Age  Financial status – Income, loan records, transactions, purchases and spending habits  Social Status Ms Bentil 15

Privacy of Public Office Holders  While some believe they have the right to privacy, others claim they should have a transparent life for others to emulate. Ms Bentil 16

Can personal information be absolute?  Circumstances make it necessary for personal information to become known to other people.  For example, health information becomes known to medical personnel, insurance companies and employers. Ms Bentil 17

Ethics of disclosing “PI”  Personal information cannot be made public by those who are privileged to have access to them.  Doctors, lawyers, bankers, etc are bound by ethical codes from disclosing information about clients, customers, patients, Ms Bentil 18

Academic and Research Information  Academic information is information that is meant for teaching and learning purposes.  It is also information generated through scholarly activities.  Egs. textbooks, research publications, etc. Ms Bentil 19

 Research information is information generated out of investigation into an issue using systematic procedures.  Information can be academic and at the same time research.  For eg. textbooks and journals are written using systematic procedures.  Academic and research information is used by academics and researchers. Ms Bentil 20

 Academics and researchers usually work in institutions of high level such as universities.  Academic institutions such as universities usually engage in both academic and research work. Eg. ISSER of UG.  There are however some institutions that are set up purely for research. Eg. CSIR, IEA Ms Bentil 21

 Academic and research information are two sides of the same coin. They feed on each other.  Academic activities generate research information and research information in turn facilitates academic activities.  In summary, the types of information are not mutually exclusive. Ms Bentil 22