Information overload? En kritisk begreppsanalys
Information overloadInformationshanteringInformationskompetensDocumentationInformationLibrary scienceArchivisticsArkiv- och bibliotekskunskapDokumentationSocial Sciences
Information overload is by no means a new concept, but has come to prominence the last decade. A generally accepted definition of the phenomenon does not exist. The main question in this master thesis is how to define information overload in order to create a connotative concept for information science. This thesis reviews the nature and causes of information overload, and considers possible solutions, both individual and technical, and their relevance to the information professional. The review of the results shows that researchers seldom or never give a legible definition of what the concept information holds. The lack of a clear description of information complicates the matter of how to define information overload. The conclusion provides a definition of information as organized data, which has been interpreted on the basis of a meaningful context. Information is something valuable to the interpreter and can for that reason not be a load. The conclusion therefore excludes information overload as phenomenon and instead introduces the concepts data overload, and data anxiety. Data overload is the uncontrolled amount of data exposed to a person, and data anxiety, is a subjective feeling of stress and anxiety, which occurs when a person feels insufficient in his/her handling of data. Data anxiety is considered to be something closely connected to a specific situation and as something individual to a great extent. The conclusion also presents descriptions of the features and causes of data anxiety and suggests possible solutions.