The dimensions of perceived accessibility to information: Implications for the delivery of information systems and services

Abstract

Abstract Perceived accessibility to information is proposed as a unifying concept for the design and evaluation of a wide variety of information systems and services. This field study measured end‐user perceptions of three sources of information (computer‐based, libraries, and individuals) for three samples of individuals. The results suggest that 1) accessibility is a multidimensional concept encompassing physical access to the source, the interface to the source, and the ability to physically retrieve potentially relevant information, and 2) perceptions of accessibility are moderated by prior experience with the source and contextual factors.