Informational behavior of student affairs managers from federal universities in Brazil

• Autor(a) principal: Souza, Rosilane de Oliveira Castro de
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Silva, Helena de Fátima Nunes
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Informação & Informação
• Texto Completo: https://ojs.uel.br/revistas/uel/index.php/informacao/article/view/40183
• topic: Information; Informational Behavior; Student assistance; FONAPRACE; Información; Comportamiento informacional; Asistencia estudiantil; Fonaprace; Informação; Comportamento informacional; Assistência estudantil; Fonaprace

Introduction: Informational Behavior refers to the many ways in which people interact with information, particularly, as ways in which the individual perceives, seeks, understands and uses information in the various contexts of life. Objective: The article presents the results of a master's research that analyzed the informational behavior of student affairs managers at federal universities in Brazil. Methodology: This is a descriptive study with a qualitative and quantitative approach. Data collection took place with the application of a questionnaire, semi-structured interview and documentary analysis of the documents generated by the National Forum of Pro-Rectors of Student Affairs. The research was guided by the Informational Behavior model developed by Wilson (1981/1996). Results: Information needs were identified to answer questions, make decisions and generate knowledge. As for the search for information, personal contact was identified as the main source of information, the presence of sometime and technology barriers was noted (lack of a standardized and integrated system). The information is used to develop policies and actions for student assistance, accountability and, mainly, for decision making. Information is shared by the Ciranda email group and WhatsApp, taking into account organizational proximity, trust and perceived risks. Conclusions: It is possible to improve the access of managers to the information they need, making available the resource and relevant and reliable sources, making them aware of the use of more perennial tools that allow access, storage, retrieval and use of information, allowing them make assertive decisions.