Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate people's information practices as the SARS-CoV-2 virus took hold in the UK. Of particular interest is how people transition into newly created pandemic information environments and the ways information literacy practices come into view.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative research design comprised one-to-one in-depth interviews conducted virtually towards the end of the UK's first lockdown phase in May–July 2020. Data were coded and analysed by the researchers using constant comparative and situated analysis techniques.

Findings

Transition into new pandemic information environments was shaped by an unfolding phase, an intensification phase and a stable phase. Information literacy emerged as a form of safeguarding as participants engaged in information activities designed to mitigate health, legal, financial and well-being risks produced by the pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

Time constraints meant that the sample from the first phase of this study skewed female.

Practical implications

Findings establish foundational knowledge for public health and information professionals tasked with shaping public communication during times of crisis.

Social implications

This paper contributes to understandings of the role that information and information literacy play within global and long-term crises.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to explore information practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

中文翻译：

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情境化风险：COVID-19 大流行期间人们展开的信息工作和实践

目的

本研究的目的是调查人们在 SARS-CoV-2 病毒在英国流行时的信息使用习惯。特别令人感兴趣的是人们如何过渡到新创建的流行病信​​息环境以及信息素养实践进入视野的方式。

设计/方法/方法

定性研究设计包括在 2020 年 5 月至 7 月英国第一个锁定阶段即将结束时进行的一对一深入访谈。研究人员使用持续的比较和情境分析技术对数据进行编码和分析。

发现

向新的大流行信息环境过渡是由一个展开阶段、一个强化阶段和一个稳定阶段形成的。随着参与者参与旨在减轻大流行病产生的健康、法律、财务和福祉风险的信息活动，信息素养成为一种保护形式。

研究限制/影响

时间限制意味着本研究第一阶段的样本偏向女性。

实际影响

调查结果为负责在危机时期塑造公众沟通的公共卫生和信息专业人员奠定了基础知识。

社会影响

本文有助于理解信息和信息素养在全球和长期危机中所起的作用。

原创性/价值

这是在 COVID-19 大流行期间探索信息实践的首批研究之一。