Open AccessInformation Overload and Underload
Author(s) -
Bryan Alexander,
Kim E. Barrett,
Sioux Cumming,
Patrick Herron,
Claudia Holland,
Kathleen Keane,
Joyce Ogburn,
Jake Orlowitz,
Mary Augusta Thomas,
J. Y. Tsao
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
open scholarship initiative proceedings
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2473-6236
DOI - 10.13021/g8rk56
Subject(s) - information overload , variety (cybernetics) , work (physics) , internet privacy , business , computer science , public relations , world wide web , political science , engineering , mechanical engineering , artificial intelligence
Information underload occurs when we don’t have access to the information we need (for a variety of reasons, including cost) —researchers based at smaller institutions and in the global periphery, policymakers, and the general public, particularly with regard to medical research. Overload occurs when we can access everything but are simply overwhelmed by the torrent of information available (not all of which is equally valuable). Are these issues two sides of the same coin? In both cases, how can we work together to figure out how to get people the information they need? Can we? How widespread are these issues? What are the economic and research consequences of information underload and overload?