ERIC Number: ED639639
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 163
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3805-8299-5
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Library and Information Science Research and Neurodiversity: So Much Potential if We'd Just Apply Ourselves
Kelly M. Hoffman
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Maryland, College Park
Neurodivergent people consistently face less optimal outcomes than neurotypical people in education, their careers, and other areas of life. Anecdotally, personal knowledge management (PKM) is a useful tool for neurodivergent individuals. However, there is sparse research involving the information practices of neurodivergent adults in the field of library and information science (LIS). A survey with both close-ended and open-ended questions, partially based on Dervin's Sense-Making Methodology (Dervin, 1992, 2000), was distributed online and received over 300 self-identifying neurodivergent participants. The results indicated that neurodivergent people use PKM most heavily in the "Learning," "Job," and "Everyday" domains for the purposes of "Managing Tasks and Projects," "Building Knowledge," "Creating," and "Self-Improvement." Common PKM activities engaged included "Storing Information and Using It Later," "Remembering What Needs to be Done," "Understanding and Ideating," and "Planning and Prioritizing." The most helpful benefits of PKM that were described were "Connecting Ideas," "Improving Thinking," and "Having Fun." Overall, key themes regarding neurodivergent individuals' PKM usage included "Reducing Stress," "Memory," and "Externalizing." These findings provide a foundation for a much-needed LIS research agenda exploring the PKM practices of neurodivergent adults. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Adults, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Diversity, Library Research, Library Science, Information Science, Knowledge Management, Individual Needs, User Needs (Information)
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A