Summary of proposal

Title
The information culture of the Maldives: an exploratory study of information provision and access in a small island developing state

Abstract
The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between information culture and development and to highlight areas in information provision and access that need to be addressed in the small island developing state of the Maldives. As Gathegi (1990) states “development is related to knowledge. Knowledge is derived from information. Knowledge and, therefore, information are vital to the development efforts of any country” (p. 1). It is therefore, proposed to undertake this study by evaluating the existing information culture in the Maldives and investigating the relevant information initiatives in place and those which are planned for the country. This will be compared with the information needs and information use of the urban community and one rural community to identify the challenges associated with the implementation of information services. The outcomes of the study will be reported and recommendations for further endeavours will be made.

Objectives
The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between information culture and development and to highlight areas in information provision and access that need to be addressed in the Maldives. The research questions for this study therefore are: (1) How effective are the existing and planned information initiatives in place in the Maldives? and (2) What changes are required in the information culture of the country to lead to development?
The specific objectives of this study are to:
1. define and evaluate the present information culture of the Maldives;
2. investigate the relevant information initiatives in place;
3. investigate the relevant information initiatives planned;
4. identify the information needs of the people of the Maldives;
5. identify the challenges associated with the implementation of information services; and
6. draw up recommendations for future direction of information initiatives.




References

Gathegi, J. N. (1990). Policy on the creation of scientific and technological
information in developing countries: the case of agricultural information in
Kenya. PhD Thesis. University of California, Berkeley.