Needs assessment for information consultant profession

Guneylu, Nadia, Azimi, Ali and Zerehsaz, Mohammad Needs assessment for information consultant profession. Research on Information Science and Public Libraries, 2023, vol. 29, n. 4, pp. 497-484. [Journal article (Paginated)]

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English abstract

Purpose: In an era where information permeates every facet of our lives, the role of information consultants has gained prominence.These professionals serve as navigators, guiding individuals, organizations, and communities through the vast sea of data, ensuring informed decisions and meaningful outcomes. The aim of this research is to conduct a needs assessment for establishing the informationconsultant profession. Information consultant needs assessment involves examining the areas of need, the dimensions of those needs,and the requirements for acquiring this profession. Introducing the characteristics of information consultants appears essential given therapid advancement of sciences and society�s need for purposeful guidance to access scientific and social benefits and achievements. Inthis comprehensive study, a needs assessment was meticulously conducted to uncover the underlying necessities within the informationconsultant profession.Method: The present research carried out with a qualitative approach and a combination of two tools was used for data collection: library study and structured interviews. In this study, initially, relevant texts were extracted through systematic searches in targetdatabases, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and domestic databases such as IranDoc, SID, and NoorMags. For theextraction of variables related to information consulting needs, 458 open codes were obtained from text analysis. Additionally, 122 codeswere identified from interviews conducted with 12 experts in this field. Subsequently, the extracted codes from expert interviews wereintegrated with the concepts from the texts (a total of 580 codes). The main themes (selective coding) were categorized into four groups:current, incipient, unanswered, and future needs.Findings: After a review of history and the groundworks of information consultant profession, a needs assessment was conductedto reveal the critical needs for the establishment of the information consultant profession. The recent needs assessment conducted shedlight on these diverse requirements, categorizing them into four distinct areas. Regarding the requirements for establishing a professionalinformation-sharing profession, 32 categories were identified, comprising a total of 580 components. Among the current needs, we canmention health literacy, engagement in industrial processes, resilience in the face of disruptions and unforeseen conditions, and jobplacement and career change. For incipient needs, we can highlight circular economy, integration with artificial intelligence, generativeartificial intelligence, virtual identity and social networks, and industrial and commercial domains related to the human genome. Unaddressed needs include themes: organizational culture internationalization and compatibility, multi-modal data, increased uncertainty andthe need for innovation, widespread use of clean energy, conflict between transparency and the interests of the organization, security andconfidentiality in Metaverse. Future needs include: expanding boundaries and administrative processes, the secret language of science,cloud-based life, and cyborg-human integration.Originality/value: Delving into the intricate world of information needs, we explored the essential role played by information consultants in our society. Beyond mere data retrieval, we dissected the dimensions of these needs, revealing why information consultantstruly matter. By gaining a holistic understanding of our evolving information landscape, we recognized that information consultants mustbe well-equipped to address diverse requirements�from immediate queries to emerging trends. This research not only highlighted theextensive information needs but also laid the groundwork for a specialized profession. Whether deciphering health information, stayingupdated on global events or making informed business decisions, individuals seek reliable sources and expert insights. Information consultants, with their outside perspective and accumulated experience, bridge the gap, offering expertise, context, and personalized support

Persian abstract

Item type:	Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords:	Opportunity Identification,Needs Assessment,Information consultant
Subjects:	D. Libraries as physical collections. > DC. Public libraries.
Depositing user:	rispl journal Journal
Date deposited:	30 Jan 2026 17:30
Last modified:	30 Jan 2026 17:30
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/10760/47457

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