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Conceptualizing access to and understanding of information

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Abstract

Purpose

Many citizens face situations where they have difficulty accessing and understanding information, particularly due to insufficient literacy skills. Although strategies have been proposed for improving comprehensibility of texts or web sites, there is no consensus on the standards to favor, nor is there any one single approach that addresses this issue. This article defines the expression “access to and understanding of information,” with the aim of guiding designers in their quest to develop inclusive information resources. Method A literature search was performed. The investigation led to the identification of elements that could serve as dimensions or indicators for the conceptualization of access to information. In a co-construction process, the co-authors compared these elements with the dimensions and indicators from Fougeyrollas et al.’s (2015, 2019) conceptualization of “access” in order to adjust and complement these so that they may apply in the context of access to information. Results First, the expression “access to and understanding of information” is clarified because it is not well defined in the scientific literature. Then, a theoretical conceptualization of access to information is proposed in order to clarify what this term encompasses; also elaborating on its dimensions and indicators and on ways to measure them. Conclusion This conceptualization stems from a literature search and a co-construction of the “access to information” concept. It is still evolving because we aim to enrich it in step with social, technological, and knowledge developments, with the objective of meeting users’ needs.

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Notes

  1. In the remainder of the text, the expression “access to information” will incorporate “access to and understanding of information.”

  2. Ruel, J., Romero-Torres, A., Moreau, A.C., Normand, C.L., Fougeyrollas, P., Gravel, S., Couture, P., Dassy, S.., Lanneville, C., Lagacé, L. Navert, S., Grenon, M.M. et Prud’Homme, M. (2018–2019). Accéder à l’information et à sa compréhension pour une société inclusive: Recherche-action pour augmenter l’accès à l’information et à sa compréhension pour les personnes ayant des incapacités ou de faibles compétences en littératie. Société inclusive.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada

    Marie Michèle Grenon & Patrick Fougeyrollas

  2. Department of Science Education, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Québec, Canada

    Julie Ruel

  3. Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Québec, Canada

    Claude L. Normand

  4. Department of Science Education, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Campus Saint-Jérôme, Saint-Jérôme, Québec, Canada

    André C. Moreau

  5. École des sciences de la gestion, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    Alejandro Romero-Torres

  6. Simplicom, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Sylvie Gravel

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  1. Marie Michèle Grenon
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  2. Julie Ruel
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  3. Patrick Fougeyrollas
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Correspondence to Marie Michèle Grenon.

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Grenon, M.M., Ruel, J., Fougeyrollas, P. et al. Conceptualizing access to and understanding of information. Univ Access Inf Soc 22, 83–94 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-021-00836-w

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