Information-Seeking Behavior and Internet Use in Uzbekistan

The Internet is increasingly considered a crucial information resource. However, how the Internet is adopted as an information source within a given society depends on factors such as the technical infrastructure of a given area and the local culture. This paper reports on an ongoing study of the information behavior of people in Uzbekistan, a culture that has traditionally relied on social networks for gathering information. This paper discusses some results of a survey (administered to 317 participants) that assessed information-seeking behavior, computer use, and technology infrastructure in the home. Results suggest that the Internet is not widely used nor even universally known of; however, many respondents feel it can be an important information resource. The results of the survey suggest that both technical and cultural readiness are necessary to successfully implement Internet information resources, and that design strategies can accommodate cultural issues. Author