Information Focus and Data Sources

Abstract

Information utilization was examined among 90 social service decision makers. Results indicated that propensity to use a particular type of information is relatively independent of the propensity to use a particular source from which the information is obtained. Moreover, the information type used by a decision maker is predicted in part by the type of decision needing to be made. In contrast, use of a particular source is related to the decision maker's role. Suggestions for evaluators concerned with utilization of their information as well as for researchers developing theories of information use are offered.