Information Seeking Behaviour of Members of the Kuwaiti Parliament (MKPs). Dr. Essam Mansour & Naser...

8/3/2019 Information Seeking Behaviour of Members of the Kuwaiti Parliament (MKPs). Dr. Essam Mansour & Naser el-Rashidy

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Ionformation Seeking Behaviour of Members of the Kuwaiti Parliament (MKPs)

Information Seeking Behaviour of Members of the KuwaitiParliament (MKPs):

A Descriptive and Exploratory Study

The School of Library & Information Science

The College of Basic Education, PAAET, Kuwait

Key words:

Information Seeking Behaviour/Needs, Information Sources/Services,

Parliament, Parliamentarians, National Assembly of Kuwait, the State of Kuwait.

Abstract:

The main purpose of this study is to lighten a very big dark room of research

regarding parliament and parliamentarians in the Arabic environment. The two

researchers of this study tried to investigate the information seeking behaviour of

Members of the Kuwaiti Parliament (MKPs) in terms of their thoughts,

perceptions, attitudes, motivations, techniques, preferences ways, tools and

problems encountered by them towards accessing information. Through a

questionnaire, distributed in 2008, with a response rate 42%, the study found that

MKPs tended mostly to be older, mostly with BA degree, their educational

background comes from commercial sciences and about half of them have spent

two periods in the Kuwaiti Parliament (The National Assembly). The study also

found that MKPs were mainly seeking for information to make a decision, make

a parliamentary request and to be in line with current events. The study showed

that the most important sources of information MKPs were seeking for was mass

media, networks & databases, minutes of sessions, and personal letters. It was

also found that MKPs preferred printed formats with a very good use of the

Dr. Essam MansourAssistant professor

Nasser EL-Rashidy

A doctoral candidate


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Dr. Essam Mansour & Nasser EL-Rashidy

Internet and the computer as well. This study showed MKPs confirmation ofusing the English language, beside the Arabic language, as the most dominating

foreign language used to access information. The study found that sectaries,

consultants and colleagues were the most important assistants of information to

MKPs. The study also found that the shortage of the librarys role to deliver

information, recency of information and use of technology tools were the most

significant problems encountered by MKPs when they were seeking for

information. The study recommended to establish a smart research unit in

parliament providing the member with the most appropriate sources of

information rather than the latest and newest versions of them, and to create a

translation unit concerning with those materials handled in foreign languages,

and to make information, especially political, available with no any kind of

restrictions for the scientific research service.

The issue and process of decision-making is really a mater of concern when the

talk comes to the present and future of the nation. A nation might die due to a very

bad decision based on false or poor information made by its legislators and

lawmakers, or it might fail in meeting the expectations of its people due to a verybad background of information owned by its representatives. Then, as we see, the

information is the issue. We believe strongly that accurate, transparent, organized

and secured information are the main components and elements of any successful

decision that contributes to a successful life.

From this point, our study came with purpose of collecting data about factors

influencing information in the life of one of its users; parliamentarians, especially

from the seeking behavior perspective. It came to investigate the information

seeking behavior of parliamentarians in one of the Arab countries; Kuwait. It is thefirst study of its kind not only in Kuwait, but also in the Arab countries. According

to Eskola (1998), the study of information seeking behavior of various populations

is a well-known and major research area in library and information science, but this

concept is not exclusive to the discipline of library and information science. Really,

the idea of information seeking behavior is broad in scope and stretches across


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other environment and disciplines as well. Although many researches have beenconducted regarding information seeking behavior in many disciplines, there is still

a great need to such researches to be implemented in other disciplines, like

parliament and parliamentarians, especially in the Arab countries. Electors may be

eager to know factors that may influence their representatives, as being legislators

and decision makers of the nation, on issuing decisions that may shape or even

reshape their life either positively or negatively.

The Parliament of Kuwait (The National Assembly)The National Assembly of Kuwait ("House of the Nation") is the legislature of

Kuwait. It is considered one of the active parliaments of both the Inter-

Parliamentary Union (IPU, born in 1889) and the Arab Inter-parliamentary Union

(AIPU, born in 1974). It consists of fifty elected members, who are chosen in

elections held every four years. There are currently five geographically distributed

electoral districts. Every eligible citizen is entitled to four votes, though he or she

may choose to only cast one vote. The ten candidates with the most votes in each

district win seats. Cabinet ministers (including the prime minister) are granted

automatic membership in the Assembly, which increases the number of members

in the assembly from fifty to sixty-six.

Until recently, suffrage was limited only to male Kuwaiti citizens above the age

of 21 whose ancestors had resided in Kuwait since 1920, and adult males who have

been naturalized citizens for at least 20 years. However, on May 16, 2005, the

Assembly passed a law in support of women's suffrage, allowing women to vote

and run for office, as long as they adhere to Islamic law. This law became effective

for the 2006 parliamentary elections. Due to the issue of this law, the Kuwaits

eligible voter population raised from 139,000 to about 339,000. During the 2008

parliamentary elections, 27 of 275 candidates were women, but none of them won

any seats. Later in the parliamentary elections held on 16 May, 2009, sixteen

women candidates contested for fifty seats, and four of them won theirs seats and

became Kuwaits first female representative and lawmakers in Kuwait.


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For more information about the National Assembly of Kuwait, please visithttp://www.majlesalommah.net/clt/default.asp

The State of Kuwait:Counted as the fourth richest country in the world, the state of Kuwait is a

sovereign Arab emirate bordered by Saudi Arabia to the South and Iraq to the north

and west. Kuwait, which became a fully independent state on 19 June, 1961 after

being occupied by England, has a population of 3.1 million people which include

approximately 2 million non-nationals (Arab Time Online, 2007), and area of

17,818 km2. Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system ofgovernment, and has the oldest directly elected parliament among the Arab states

of the Persian Gulf.

Political Factions:While political parties are not legally recognized in the state of Kuwait, a

number of political factions exist. The assembly is composed of different unofficial

political factions in addition to independents:

The Islamic bloc: is the most influential bloc in the assembly. It won 21 seats(42%) in the parliamentary elections of 2006. Their chief goal is thecomplete return of Sharia law (Islamic laws).

Independents (mostly pro-government): It won 13 seats (26%) in the sameelections.

The Shaabi (Populist) bloc: A coalition of independents and other nationalistparties with a focus on lower-and middle-class issues. It won 9 seats (18%)

in elections of 2006.

National Action Bloc (liberals): It won 7 seats (14%) in the same elections. The Constitution of Kuwait:The Kuwaiti constitution combines the positive aspects of both presidential and

parliamentary forms of government. It is based on principles of democracy - on the

sovereignty of the nation, freedom of the citizen and on equality of all citizens in

the eyes of the law. Kuwait's Constitution was drafted by an elected 20-member

Constituent Assembly and 11 ministers - who joined the Assembly later. On


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November 1, 1962, the draft constitution was approved. The Constitution came intoforce on January 29, 1963, when the first National Assembly convened. The

Kuwaiti constitution, comprising 183 articles, is an exhaustive document. It is

divided into five parts as follows:

1. The state and the system of government

2. Fundamental constituents of the Kuwaiti society

3. Public rights and duties

4. Powers

5. General and transitional provisions

For more information about the Kuwaiti constitution, please visit

http://www.kuwait-info.com/a_state_system/state_system_articles1.asp

The Statement of the Problem:In spite of its very important role in the decision-making process, specifically in

the parliamentary life, the issue and topic of information seeking needs and

behavior of parliamentarians has not received an adequate amount of considerable

attention by scholars, researchers, and educators. More research, therefore, is still

needed about this issue and this topic, especially in the developing countries.

Researches have been conducted regarding the way parliamentarians perceive and

access information in some countries like European countries and in some parts of

the world, but systemic data on this issue and this topic in the Arab countries in

general and in the Persian Gulf in particular are largely absent.

The Objectives of the Study:The main objectives of this study are as follows:

- To collect data about methods and techniques followed by Members of the -

Kuwaiti Parliament (MKPs) in their seeking for information.

- To determine reasons and motivations led to information sources, the time

spent by MKPs in the seeking process, and their level of use for each source

of information.


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- To verify formats of information preferred by MKPs.

- To identify problems encountered by MKPs that may decrees the benefit of

information.

The Significance of the Study:This study deals with a very important category of information and significant

users; parliamentarians that are largely neglected by many researchers and

information professionals, especially in the Arab states. Due to this fact, our study

tries to focus light on issues related to parliamentarians in one of these states; the

state of Kuwait, in terms of their thoughts, attitudes, ways, tools, preferences and

problems encountered by them to access information. Being the first study in the

Arab world concerning with the issue and topic of information seeking behaviour

and needs of Arab parliamentarians, it is considered a pioneer and unique study

among many studies conducted in the filed of both information access and

information seeking, especially with this category of information users.

Research Design and Methodology:Using a survey methodology, this study was designed to identify and describe

MKPs information seeking behavior. According to Brown and Gilmartin (1969),

survey research, in general, is the most widely used research method in social

science research.

Survey Instrument:A structured-administrated questionnaire was designed to collect data from

MKPs. The survey was undertaken in January through February of 2008, before the

dissolution of the Assembly on 17 March 2008, based on the 2006 parliamentary

elections. It was distributed in the Arabic language (the official and traditional

language of the respondents of the study) to all representatives in the National

Assembly. The questionnaire (attached) was decided to answer the ten questions of

the study. It is consisted of ten closed-ended questions and one open-ended

question for members who wished to add something about the study, such as


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comments and suggestions. The questionnaire tried, as much as possible, to coverall variables affecting information seeking behavior of MKPs, such as variables

related to their demography (age & education), academic majors, periods of stay in

the Assembly, the strength level of motivation of information seeking, the strength

level of use of the categorized sources of information, the strength level of

technology tools used when accessing information, the level of the efficiency of

languages followed to access information, the strength level of assistance needed

when accessing information, and finally their strength level of significance of

problems faced when accessing information. A cover letter accompanied the

questionnaire of the study, introducing and explaining the purpose of the research,

why it is being conducted, and the potential benefits anticipated from it. We are

agree with Linsky (1975) and Borg & Gall (1989) that the questionnaire cover

letter may influence respondents and motivate them to reply to the questionnaire.

From the 50 elected members, we managed to reach only 47 ones who were

welcomely ready to answer the questionnaire, and for the rest of members (3), we

did not manage to reach them easily due to their busy and full agenda (two of them

were actually chosen to be ministers in the Kuwaiti government). From those 47

members, just 24 returned their questionnaires. Three of the returned

questionnaires were invalid because they were not completed and, of course, they

were eliminated from being analyzed. Therefore, the resulting body size was 21

members, representing 42% of the total number (50) of elected members in the

National Assembly of Kuwait.

Although this response rate is somewhat low, it represents a large number of

elected members in the Assembly. According to Kachigan (1986), when

respondents are representative of their population, even a very low response rate

may be acceptable. Any way, this low response rate may be attributed to the fact

that the population of the study is characterized as busy all the time rather than the

study itself deals with data gathering issue that it might prevent parliamentarians

from stating any information about or related to them. Socio-economic factors,

moreover, play a very important role in determining this response rate. However,

compared to response rates of similar studies, such as Mostert and Cchollas study


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(23%), Thapisas study (27%) and Marcella, Carcary and Baxters study (34%),our study tends to be reasonable and good enough.

Research Questions of the Study:With the help of the questionnaires items, the two researchers tried to find

answers to the ten following questions:

1. What are the demographic data of MKPs?

2. How many years have MKPs stayed in the parliament?

3. Why are MKPs seeking for Information?

4. What kinds of information are MKPs seeking for?

5. What kinds of information formats do MKPs prefer when accessing

information?

6. What kinds of technology tools used by MKPs when accessing information?

7. What time do MKPs spend (weekly) in accessing information?

8. What is the level of the efficiency of languages used by MKPs to access

information?

9. What is the strength level of assistance needed by MKPs when accessing

information?

10. What is the strength level of significance of problems encountered by MKPs

when accessing information?

Previous Research on PMs Information Seeking Behavior:Due to the nature and the environment of the parliamentary work that is

described as critical and sensitive, especially in those countries that restrict the

expression of political information, there are few studies conducted about PMs

Information Seeking Behavior, especially in the developing countries in general,

and in the Arab countries in particular. Due to this fact, the literature review

concerned with information seeking behavior of parliamentarians in the Arab

countries have not witnessed any serious try made by Arab researchers to

investigate or even to describe why and how Arab parliamentarians are seeking for


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and accessing different sources of information. So, we depended mainly on studiesconducted by foreign researchers in foreign countries, especially those ones which

are geographically and historically close, to some extent, to the Arabic

environment taking into consideration such similarities and differences hopping

also to meet and shrink such big gaps in this area of research in this environment.

In Africa, for example, there is little number of studies done by African researchers

in the last two decades. Mostert and Cchollas study (2005), titled as Information

Needs and Information Seeking Behavior of Parliamentarians in South Africa, is

considered the most significant one of these studies. This study aimed at

determining the information sources, services, and systems used by

parliamentarians in South Africa. The study, conducted by survey targeting 763

items of all parliamentarians and parliamentary libraries in the country with a

response rate 23% (167/763), revealed that parliamentary libraries are underutilized

because parliamentarians use other equally competing information sources largely

accessed through the Internet. It revealed also that the use of electronic sources of

information is growing rapidly among members of parliament. The main objectives

of the study of Alemna and Ekouby (2000), titled as An Investigating into the

Information Needs and InformationSeeking Behavior of Members of GhanasLegislature were to address issues related to information seeking behavior of

parliamentarians in Ghana, such as their perception and needs of information

sources. The study, conducted by a questionnaire with a response rate 57.3%

(94/164 of the total number (200) of MPs in Ghana, showed that parliamentarians

educational qualifications is a real asset, and their main purpose to seek

information when preparing for parliamentary debates, speeches and questions.

The studys findings also showed that a very low level of use of electronic

information in parliament. Another African study was undertaken by Thapisa

(1996), titled as Legislative Information Needs of Indigenous Parliamentarians in

Botswana and Impact of effective Decision Making. The study aimed at

determining the information needs of MPs in Botswana, identifying sources used

by them, determining the degree of assistance which they require in using

information in parliamentary debates, determining the adequacy of the National

Assembly library in providing parliamentarians with the needed information. The


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results of the study, conducted through a structured questionnaire with responserate 27.5% (11/40 of members), indicated that parliamentarians of Botswana

demonstrated an awareness of the value and importance of information in

legislative debates. Parliamentarians appear also to seek information mostly from

government department, personal contact and fellow Parliamentarians. The study

revealed also that the library of the National Assembly in Botswanas parliament

would appear not to be their most favoured source of information. Respondents of

the study appear to prefer reading newspapers and journals to books. They argued

that information in books is often out of date and does not always relate to the

immediate situation or problem (Thapisa, 1996, p. 215).

In Europe, the study of Orton, Marcella and Baxter (2000), titled as An

Observational Study of the Information Seeking Behavior of Members of

Parliament in the United Kingdom, came to determine the unique characteristics

of, and special factors impacting upon, the information seeking behavior of

parliamentarians in UK. The study, which adopted the shadowing methodology,

reached conclusion that parliamentarians of UK used a wide range of information

sources and often portray themselves as being independent in the political world.

Another European study was conducted by Marcell, Carcary and Baxter (1999).

The purpose of this study, titled as The Information Needs of United Kingdom

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) was to investigate attitude amongst

decision makers in the European Parliament to the role of information in their

work, and their ability to identify, access and evaluate that information most

relevant to their needs. The study, which used a structured questionnaire with a

response rate 34% (30/87 of all members); found that MEPs have research

assistants to help them in their work, with an average of 3.5 assistants per MEP.

The study showed that the main problems encountered by MEPs in the process ofinformation retrieval are pressure of time and the overwhelming number and Varity

of information sources available.

Findings of the Study in the light of the Answer of its Ten Questions:The Answer of the First Question:

What are the demographic data of MKPs?


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The findings of the study regarding the response to this research questionrevealed that most of MKPs tended to be older, mostly with BA degree, and their

educational background comes from commercial sciences. In details, demographic

characteristics of the study showed, as Table 1 shows, that the age of the surveyed

parliamentarians in the National Assembly of Kuwait ranged from 36 to 51 and

older, and the largest number of them tended to be older.

The Demographic Data of MKPs:

Table 1

MKPs AgeAge Respondents %

31-35 - -

36-40 2 9.5%

41-45 3 14.3%

46-50 6 28.6%

51 and older 10 47.6%

Total 21 100%

The data showed also that the largest number of MKPs (47.6%) was BA

holders, followed by Ph. D holders (19%), and the same percentage to the High

School degree, and 14.3% with a Master degree (see Table 2).

Table 2

MKPs Education

Education Respondents %

High School 4 19%

BA 10 47.6%

Master 3 14.3%

Ph. D 4 19%

Total 21 100%

As shown in Table 3, the most dominating academic major was what we call it

Commercial Sciences like Economy and Business, where it is the major of

33.3% of MKPs, followed by Law and History (14.3% for each), and Islamic

Studies, Political and Medical Sciences (9.5% for each), and Education (4.8%).


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Table 3

MKPs Academic Major

Major Respondents %

Islamic Studies 2 9.5%

Education 1 4.8%

Political Sciences 2 9.5%

Medical Sciences 2 9.5%

History 3 14.3%

Law 3 14.3%

Commercial Sciences 7 33.3%

Other 1 4.8%

Total 21 100%

The Answer of the Second Question:

How many years have MKPs stayed in parliament?

Regarding the answer of this question, this study found that the largest number

of MKPs (52.4%) have spent two periods in the National Assembly, followed by

one period (28.6%), and three periods (9.5%), and four and five periods (4.8% for

each) (see Table 4)

Table 4

MKPs Periods of Stay in the National Assembly

Years Spent in the National Assembly Respondents %

One Period (4 years) 6 28.6%

Two Periods (8 years) 11 52.4%

Three Periods (12 years) 2 9.5%

Four Periods (16 years) 1 4.8%

Five Periods (20 years). 1 4.8%

Total 21 100%

The Answer of the Third Question:

Why are MKPs seeking for Information?


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The findings of the study regarding the response to this research question

revealed that MKPs were seeking for information mainly to make a decision, make

a parliamentary request and to be in line with current events. In details, when all

parliamentarians in this study were asked to indicate their strength level, among

four scales given to them, of reasons and motivations of why they are seeking for

information, they have given many variant answers ranging from Not Strong to

Very Strong. The highest strength level was to make a decision, where a large

number of MKPs (57.14%) has confirmed that with a Very Strong answer,

followed by 33.3% with a Strong answer, and 9.5% with a Somewhat Strong

answer (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. MKPs Seeking of Information To Make a Decision.

As shown in Figure 2, the second highest strength level was To Make a

Parliamentary Request, where 52.4% of MKPs confirmed that with a Very

Strong answer, followed by 47.6% with an answer of just Strong.

MKPs are seeking for information to make a decision

Very StrongStrongSomewhat Strong

Respond

ents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

12

7

2


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Figure 2. MKPs Seeking for Information To Make a Parliamentary Request.

As Figure 3 shows, the third highest strength level was To Be in Line with

Current Events with a Very Strong answer by 38.1% of MKPs, followed by

42.9% with a Strong answer, and 4.3% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and

4.8% with a Not Strong answer.

Figure 3. MKPs Seeking for Information To Be in Line with Current Events.

MKPs are seeking for Information to make a parliamentary request

Very StrongStrong

Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

11

10

MKPs are seeking for information to be in line with current events

Very StrongStrongSomewhat StrongNot Strong

Respondents

10

8

6

4

2

0

8

9

3

1


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The fourth highest strength level was To Make a Debate, where 33.3% ofMKPs answered with a Very Strong answer, followed by 52.4% with a Strong

answer, and 14.3% with an answer of Somewhat Strong (see Figure 4).

Figure 4. MKPs Seeking of Information To Make a Debate

The fifth highest strength level, as Figure 5 shows, was To Make a GeneralResearch, where 33.3% of MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer,

followed by 47.6% with a Strong answer, and 19% with a Somewhat Strong answer.

Figure 5. MKPs Seeking of Information To Make a General Research.

MKPs are seeking information to make a debate


Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

7

11

3

MKPs are seeking information to make a general research

Respon

dents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

7

10

4


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The sixth highest strength level was To Make a Speech, where 23.1% ofMKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 66.7% with a

Strong answer, and 4.7% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and the same

percentage with a Not Strong answer (see Figure 6).

Figure 6. MKPs Seeking of information To Make a Speech.

As shown in Figure 7, the seventh highest strength level was To Make a

Specific Research, where 23.81% of MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong

answer, followed by 33.3% with a Strong answer, and 23.81% with a Somewhat

Strong answer, and 19% with a Not Strong answer.

Figure 7. MKPs Seeking of Information To Make a Specific Research.

MKPs are seeking for information to make a speech


Respond

ents

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

5

14

11

MKPs are seeking for information to make a specific research


Resp

ondents

8

6

4

2

0

5

7

5

4


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The eighth highest strength level was To Collect Statistics, where 14.3% ofMKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 61.9% with an

answer of Strong, and 23.8% with a Somewhat Strong answer (see Figure 8).

Figure 8. MKPs Seeking of Information To Collect Statistics.

The Answer of the Fourth Question:

What kinds of information are MKPs seeking for?

Through respondents answer to this question, the study found that the most

important sources of information MKPs were seeking for were mass media,

networks & databases, minutes of sessions, and personal letters. In details, among

four scales given to them, MKPs were asked to indicate their strength level of thekinds of information they are seeking for. They have given many variant answers

ranging from Not Strong to Very Strong. The highest strength level was

Mass Media (Press, TV, Videos), where a large number of them (66.7%) has

confirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 9.5% with a Strong

answer, and 14.3% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and 9.5% with a Not

Strong answer (see Figure 9).

MKPs are seeking information to collect statistics


Respondents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

3

13

5


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Figure 9. MKPs Seeking of Mass Media (Press, TV, Videos).

The second highest strength level was Information Networks & Databases,

where 57.1% of MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by

8% with an answer of Strong, and 19% with a Somewhat Strong answer and

the same percentage with a Not Strong answer (see Figure 10).

Figure 10. MKPs Seeking of Information Networks & Databases.

MKPs are seeking for "Mass Media (Press, TV, Videos)"


Respondents

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

14

2

3

2

MKPs are seeking for "Information Networks & Databases"


Respondents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

12

1

44


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As shown in Figure 11, the third highest strength level was Minutes ofSessions, where 52.4% of MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer,

followed by 28.6% with a Strong answer, and 9.5% with an answer of

Somewhat Strong, and the same percentage with a Not Strong answer.

Figure 11. MKPs Seeking of Minutes of Sessions.

The fourth highest strength level was Personal Letters, where 52.4% of MKPsconfirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 14.3% with a Strong

answer, and 19% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and the same percentage with

a Not Strong answer (see Figure 12).

Figure 12. MKPs Seeking of Personal Letters.

MKPs are seeking for "Minutes of Sessions"


Respondent

s

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

11

6

22

MKPs are seeking for "Personal Letters"


Respond

ents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

11

33

4


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The fifth highest strength level was Conference Works, where 19% of MKPsconfirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 23.81% with an answer

of Strong, and 28.6% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and the same

percentage with an answer of Not Strong (see Figure 13).

Figure 13. MKPs Seeking of Conference Works.

The sixth highest strength level was Books, where 14.3% of MKPs confirmed

that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 38.16% with a Strong answer,

and 47.6% with a Somewhat Strong answer (see Figure 14).

Figure 14. MKPs Seeking of Books

MKPs are seeking for "Conferences Works"


Respondents

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

4

5

66

MKPs are seeking for "Books"


Resp

ondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

3

8

10


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As shown in Figure 15, the seventh highest strength level was References,


38.16% with a Strong answer, and 47.6% with a Somewhat Strong answer.

Figure 15. MKPs Seeking of References

As shown in Figure 16, the eighth highest strength level was Directories,


42.9% with a Strong answer, and 23.8% with an answer of Somewhat Strong,and the same percentage with a Not Strong answer.

MKPs are seeking for "References"


Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

3

8

10


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Figure 16. MKPs Seeking of Directories

The ninth highest strength level was Research Reports, where 9.5% of MKPs

confirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 23.8% with a Strong

answer, and 47.6% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and 19% with a Not

Strong answer (see Figure 17).

Figure 17. MKPs Seeking of Research Reports

MKPs are seeking for "Directories"


Respondents

10

8

6

4

2

0

2

9

55

MKPs are seeking for "Research Reports"


Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

2

5

10

4


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The tenth highest strength level was Specialized Bulletin, where 4.8% ofMKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 52.4% with a

Strong answer, and 23.8% with an answer of Somewhat Strong, and 19% with

a Not Strong answer (see Figure 18).

Figure 18. MKPs Seeking of Specialized Bulletin.

As shown in Figure 19, the eleventh highest strength level was SpecializedJournals, where 4.8% of MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer,

followed by 28.6% with a Strong answer, and 61.9% with a Somewhat Strong

answer, and 4.8% with a Not Strong answer.

Figure 19. MKPs Seeking of Specialized Journals

MKPs are seeking for "Specialized Bulletins"


Responde

nts

12

10

8

6

4

2

01

11

5

4

MKPs are seeking for "Specialized Journals"


Respon

dents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0 1

6

13

1


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As shown in Figure 20, the twelfth highest strength level was Encyclopedia,where 4.8% of MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by

14.3% with a Strong answer, and 57.1% with a Somewhat Strong" answer, and


Figure 20. MKPs Seeking of Encyclopedia.

The thirteenth highest strength level was Library Catalogs, where 4.8% of

MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 9.5% with a

Strong answer, and 57.1% with an answer of Somewhat Strong, and 28.68%

with a Not Strong answer (see Figure 21).

Figure 21. MKPs Seeking of Library Catalogs.

MKPs are seeking for "Encyclopedias"


Respondents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0 1

3

12

5

MKPs are seeking for "Library Catalogs"


R

espondents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0 1

2

12

6


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As shown in Figure 22, the fourteenth highest strength level wasBibliographies, where 4.8% of MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong

answer, followed by 38.1% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and 57.1% with a

Not Strong answer.

Figure 22. MKPs Seeking of Bibliographies.

The fifteenth highest strength level was Abstracts of Books & Articles, where

38.1% of MKPs confirmed that with a Strong answer, followed by 14.3% with a

Somewhat Strong answer, and 47.6% with a Not Strong answer (see figure 23).

Figure 23. MKPs Seeking of Abstracts of Books & Articles.

MKPs are seeking for"Bibliographies"

Very StrongSomewhat StrongNot Strong

Respondents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0 1

8

12

MKPs are seeking for "Abstracts of Books & Articles"

StrongSomewhat StrongNot Strong

Respo

ndents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

8

3

10


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As shown in figure 24, the sixteenth highest strength level was Microfiches &Microfilms, where 23.8% of MKPs confirmed that with a Strong answer,

followed by 28.6% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and 47.6% with a Not

Strong answer.

Figure 24. MKPs Seeking of Microfiches & Microfilms.

As shown in figure 25, the seventeenth highest strength level was Lingual

Dictionaries, where 14.3% of MKPs confirmed that with a Strong answer,

followed by 38.9% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and 47.6% with a Not

Strong answer.

MKPs are seeking for "Microfilms & Microfiches"


Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

5

6

10


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Figure 25. MKPs Seeking of Lingual Dictionaries.

As shown in figure 26, the eighteenth highest strength level was Atlases &

Gazettes, where 14.3% of MKPs confirmed that with a Strong answer, followed by

23.8% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and 61.9% with a Not Strong answer.

Figure 26. MKPs Seeking of Atlases & Gazettes.

MKPs are seeking for "Lingual Dictionaries"


Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

3

8

10

MKPs are seeking for "Atlases & Gazettes"


Respondents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

3

5

13


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As shown in figure 27, the nineteenth highest strength level was Biographies,where 9.5% of MKPs confirmed that with a Strong answer, followed by 57.1%

with a Somewhat Strong answer, and 33.3% with a Not Strong answer.

Figure 27. MKPs Seeking of Biographies.

As shown in figure 28, the twentieth highest strength level was Terminological

Dictionaries, where 9.5% of MKPs confirmed that with a Strong answer,

followed by 38.1% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and 52.4% with a NotStrong answer.

MKPs are seeking for "Biographies"


Respondents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

2

12

7


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Figure 28. MKPs Seeking of Terminological Dictionaries.

The Answer of the Fifth Question:

What kinds of information formats do MKPs prefer to access information?

Regarding the answer of this question, this study found that the highest level of

preference of information formats MKPs mentioned was Printed Formats, where

a large number of them (76.2%) confirmed that with an answer of Too MuchPreferred, followed by 19% with a Just Preferred answer, and 4.8% with a Not

Too Much Preferred (see Figure 29).

MKPs are seeking for "Terminological Dictionaries"


Respo

ndents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

2

8

11


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Figure 29. MKPs Preference of Printed Formats.

As shown in Figure 30, the second highest level of preference was given to

Non-Printed Formats (electronic), where 57.1% of MKPs confirmed that with a

Too Much Preferred answer, followed by 38.1% with a Just Preferred answer,

and 9.5% with a Not Too Much Preferred answer.

Figure 30. MKPs Preference of Non-Printed Formats (electronic).

MKPs prefere too access "Printed materials"

Too Much PreferredJust PreferredNot Too Much Preferr

Respondents

20

10

0

16

4

1

MKPs prefere to access "Non-printed materials" (electronic)

Too Muvh PreferredJust PreferredNot Too M uch Preferr

R

espondents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

12

8

1


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As shown in Figure 31, the third highest level of preference was given toAudiovisual Formats, where 38.1% of MKPs answered with Too Much

Preferred, followed by 33.3% with an answer of Just Preferred, and 28.6% with

a Not Too Much Preferred answer.

Figure 31. MKPs Preference of Audiovisual Formats.

The Answer of the Sixth Question:

What kinds of technology tools used by MKPs when accessing information?

Regarding the answer of this question, our study revealed that the highest

technology tool MKPs feel very good in use was The Internet, where 42.9% of

MKPs confirmed that with an answer of Very Good, followed by 38.1% with a

Good answer, and 19% with a Somewhat Good answer (see Figure 32).

MKPs prefere to access "Audiovisual materials"

Too Muvh PreferredJust PreferredNot Too Much Preferr

Respondents

10

8

6

4

2

0

8

7

6


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Figure 32. MKPs Use of The Internet.

The second highest technology tool, as Figure 33 shows, was The Computer,

where 38.1% of MKPs confirmed that with an answer of Very Good, followed

by the same percentage with a Good answer, and 19% with a Somewhat Good

answer, and 4.8% with a Not Good answer.

Figure 33. MKPs Use of The Computer.

MKPs' Use of "The Internet"

Very GoodGoodSomewhat Go od

Respondents

10

8

6

4

2

0

9

8

4

MKPs' Use of "The Computer"

Very GoodGoodSomewhat GoodNot Good

Respondents

10

8

6

4

2

0

88

4

1


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As shown in Figure 34, the third highest tool of technology was TheInformation Databases, where 23.1% of MKPs confirmed that with an answer of

Very Good, followed by 52.4% with a Good answer, and 14.3% with a

Somewhat Good answer, and 9.5% with a Not Good answer.

Figure 34. MKPs Use of Information Databases.

The Answer of the Seventh Question:

What time do MKPs spend (weekly) in accessing information?

Through respondents answer, we found that many of MKPs have been heavy

users of information. In details, the highest percentage of MKPs (47.6%) spend

more than ten hours weekly accessing information, followed by 28.6% spending

from four to six hours, and 19% spending less than three hours, and just 4.8%

spending from seven to nine hours (see Table 5).

MKPs' Use of " Information Databases"

Very GoodGoodSomewhat GoodNot Good

Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

5

11

3

2


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Table 5Time (weekly) Spent by MKPs to Access Information.

Time (weekly) spent to access information Respondents %

3 and less 4 19%

4-6 6 28.6%

7-9 1 4.8%

10 and more 10 47.6%

Total 21 100%

The Answer of the Eighth Question:

What is the efficiency level of languages used by MKPs to access information?

Regarding the answer of this question, this study found that the efficiency

of the foreign languages, which are necessarily to access information manipulated

in theses languages, was ranging from Not Good to Very Good. In details,

28.6% of MKPs confirmed that their efficiency of the English language, the most

dominating foreign language in handling information sources and highly used in

Kuwait after the Arabic language, was Very Good, followed by 52.4% with a

Good answer, and 19% with a Somewhat Good answer (see Figure 35).

Figure 35. MKPs Efficiency of the English Language.

MKPs' Efficiency of the English Language

Very GoodGoodNot Good

Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

6

11

4


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As shown in Figure 36, the efficiency of the other foreign language amongMKPs, like the French language mentioned here, was, to great extent, not good,

where 4.8% of MKPs confirmed that their efficiency of the French language was

Good, followed by 9.5% with a Somewhat Good answer, and 85.7% with a

Not Good answer.

Figure 36. MKPs Efficiency of the French Language.

The Answer of the Ninth Question:

What is the strength level of assistance needed by MKPs when accessing

information?

Regarding the answer of this question, the study found that sectaries,

consultants and colleagues were the most important assistants to MKPs of

information access. In Details, the highest strength level of assistance needed by

MKPs when accessing information was given to Sectaries, where 57.1% of

MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 33.3% with a

Strong answer, and 9.5% with a Somewhat Strong (see Figure 37).

MKPs' Efficiency of the French Language

GoodSomewhat GoodNot Good

Respondents

20

10

0 12

18


36/50


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The third highest strength level of assistance was given to Colleagues, where23.1% of MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong answer, followed by 47.6%

with a Strong answer, and 23.1% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and 4.8%

with a Not Strong answer (see Figure 39).

Figure 39. MKPs Assistance of Colleagues.

As shown in Figure 40, the fourth highest strength level of assistance was given

to Colleagues, where 9.5% of MKPs confirmed that with a Very Strong

answer, followed by 19% with a Strong answer, and 52.4% with a Somewhat

Strong answer, and 19% with a Not Strong answer.

MKPs' Assistance of "Colleagues"


Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

5

10

5

1


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Figure 40. MKPs Assistance of Book List.

The fifth highest strength level of assistance was given to Abstracts &

Indexes, where 23.8% of MKPs confirmed that with a Strong answer, followed

by 52.4% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and 23.8% with a Not Strong

answer (see Figure 41).

Figure 41. MKPs Assistance of Abstracts & Indexes.

MKPs' Assistance of "Book Lists"


Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

2

4

11

4

MKPs' Assistance of "Abstracts & Indexes"


Respondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

5

11

5


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As shown in Figure 42, the sixth highest strength level of assistance was givento Librarians & Assistants, where 19.1% of MKPs confirmed that with a

Strong answer, followed by 57.1% with a Somewhat Strong answer, and


Figure 42. MKPs Assistance of Librarians & Assistants.

The Answer of the Tenth Question:

What is the strength level of significance of problems encountered by MKPs

when accessing information?

Through the answer of MKPs to this question, the study found that the

shortage of the librarys role to deliver information, recency of information and use

of technology tools were the most significant problems encountered by MKPs

when they were seeking for information. In Details, the highest strength level ofsignificance of problems encountered by MKPs when accessing information was

given to The Shortage of the Librarys Role to Deliver Information, where 23.8%

of MKPs confirmed that with an answer of Very Significant, followed by 19%

with a Significant answer, and 38.1% with a Somewhat Significant, and 19%

with a Not Significant answer (see Figure 43).

MKPs' Assistance of "Librarians & Assistants"


Respondents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

4

12

5


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Figure 43. MKPs Problems Due to the Shortage of Librarys Role to Delivery

Information.

As shown in Figure 44, the second highest strength level of significance was

given to The Recency of Information, where 14.3% of MKPs confirmed that

with an answer of Very Significant, followed by 38.1% with a Significant

answer, and 42.9% with a Somewhat Significant, and 4.8% with a Not

Significant answer.

Problems Encountered by MKPs when Accessing Information

Due to The Shortage of the Library's Role to Deliver Info.

Very Significant

Significant

Somewhat Significant

Not Significant

Respond

ents

10

8

6

4

2

0

5

4

8

4


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Figure 44. MKPs Problems Due to the Recency of Information.

The third highest strength level of significance of problems, as Figure 45 shows,

was given to The Use of Foreign Languages, where 14.3% of MKPs confirmed

that with an answer of Very Significant, followed by 23.8% with a Significant

answer, and 33.3% with a Somewhat Significant, and 28.6% with a NotSignificant answer.

Figure 45. MKPs Problems Due to The Use of Foreign Languages


Due to the Use of Foreign Languages

Very Significant

Significant


Not Significant

Respondents

8

6

4

2

0

3

5

7

6


Due to the Recency of Information

Very Significant

Significant


Not Significant

Respondents

10

8

6

4

2

0

3

8

9

1


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As shown in Figure 46, the fourth highest strength level of significance ofproblems was given to The Use of Technology Tools, where 9.5% of MKPs

confirmed that with an answer of Very Significant, followed by the same

percentage with a Significant answer, and 28.6% with a Somewhat Significant,

and 52.4% with a Not Significant answer.

Figure 46. MKPs Problems Due to The Use of Technology Tools.

As shown in Figure 47, the fifth highest strength level of significance of

problems was given to The Place of Information, where 4.8% of MKPs

confirmed that with an answer of Very Significant, followed by 28.6% with a

Significant answer, and 61.9% with a Somewhat Significant, and 4.8% with a

Not Significant answer.


Due to the Use of Technology Tools

Very Significant

Significant


Not Significant

Resondents

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

22

6

11


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Figure 47. MKPs Problems Due to The Place of Information.

The fifth highest strength level of significance was given to The High

Cost of Information, where 14.3% of MKPs confirmed that with an answer of

Significant, followed by 42.9% with a Somewhat Significant answer, and the

same percentage with a Not Significant (see Figure 48).


Due to the Place of Information

Very Significant

Significant


Not Significant

Respo

ndents

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0 1

6

13

1


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Figure 48. MKPs Problems Due to The High Cost of Information.

Discussions and conclusion of the Study:Through MKPs' answers to the questions of the questionnaire, we have clearly

noticed the variation of this answers that reflect their perceptions and attitudes of

what they perform in the course of their parliamentary work in the National

Assembly. Although this study is considered the first one implemented among

such users in the Arab world, but we found that our study's findings came in line

with some previous studies conducted in other parliaments, where different

environment and culture as well. For example, one of the findings of this study

regarding the education level and factor is consistent with the findings of Alemna

and Skouby's study (2000) which revealed that the educational background of

MKPs was more likely to be high, since such people have the intellectual capacity


Due to the High Cost of Information

SignificantSomewhat SignificantNot Significant

Responden

ts

10

8

6

4

2

0

3

99


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to enter in a fruitful debate. Due to these findings, we found that MKPs were heavy

users of information, as almost half of them spend at least ten hours per week

seeking for information.

MKPs succeeded greatly in stating their objectives of why they were seeking

for information. The most important purposes of MKPs' seeking information came

in harmony with the nature of parliamentary work. For example, a very high

number of them (90.5%) indicated at least "strongly" that they were seeking for

information mainly to make a decision, and all of them (100) purposed information

strongly to make a parliamentary request, and 81% purposed it strongly also to

make a debate. This finding goes also in line with the study of Almna and Skouby.

The most important assistants helping MKPs to access information came as

sectaries, consultants and colleagues. MKPs' need of sectaries as assistants, for

example, was very high, as 57.1% of them confirmed that with a "Very Strong"

answer and 33.3% with at least a 'Strong" answer. Compared to the findings of

Marcella, Carcary and Baxter's study (1999) (the average of research assistants in

their study was 3.5 per MEP), MKP has 15 research assistants (750 in total), andthis made MKPs depend mainly on them in getting information. A high number of

these assistants were not located in the Assembly because most of them were part-

time, beside the limited capacity of the Assembly's building that cannot absorb this

number in one time. We can conclude that MKPs depend mainly on the

communication held with information assistants and providers like sectaries,

consultant and colleagues (fellow Parliamentarians). They preferred to deal these

categories of assistants more than even those ones who are related to the library,

such librarians, book lists and abstracts & indexes. This finding is in consistentwith Thapisa's study (1996).

MKPs determined that the most important sources of information were Mass

Media (tress, TV, Videos, etc), Information Networks & Databases, Minutes of

Sessions and Personal Letters. This finding is highly harmonized with Thapisa's

finding regarding this part.


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Through the indirect answers of MKPs, the parliamentary library of the Kuwaiti

National Assembly, established in 1986, was characterized as frail! In spite of

having a computerized and a very good automatic system (Horizon), having huge

tradition and electronic collections of information displayed through online catalog

(OPAC) and having also very specialized and experienced stuff (n=5), the library

failed in making herself as one of the most important places representatives could

visit, as we found that just one member (4.8%) confirmed with a "Very Strong"

answer that the "Library Catalog" was one of the most important information

sources to seek, and also just two members (9.5%) confirmed that with just

"Strong", and 12 (57.1%) with "Somewhat Strong", and 6 (28.6%) confirmed with

"Not Strong"! even the other library collections, such as books, journals,

encyclopedias and references were not strongly appreciated by MKPs. This may

due to their preference to other competing sources of information, like the Internet

(81% of MKPs confirmed that their use of the Internet was at least "Good", and the

use of 76.2% of them to Information Databases was also at least "good"), or it may

due also to the shortage of the library's role to deliver information (this reason

came as one of the most significant problems MKPs (42.3% of at least significant)

face when they were seeking for information). These findings are in consistent with

the findings of Thapisa's study (1996), Alemna & Skouby's study (2000) and

Mostert & Ocholla's study (2005). We reached conclusion that the library of

National Assembly has not been able to attract them enough, or even feel them

with her existence! This finding is consistent also with Abdel Eah's study (1999)

which indicated that the good marketing of the parliamentary library collations

may attract parliamentarians to the library.

The National Assembly has also a center for information called "The

Information Center of the National Assembly", born as a branch of Information and

Documentation Management in 1992. It may be more effective than the library,

especially it has been mainly devoted to the service of research, and providing

parliamentarians and their assistants as well with fast and update information.


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Although the most preferred information formats mentioned by MKPs was

"Printed Formats" (76.2% as "Too Much Preferred and 19% as "Just Preferred", the

study revealed that MKPs were also greatly interested in the "Non-printed

Formats" (electronic formats), as 57.1% of them confirmed that with an answer of

"Too Much Preferred" and 38.1% with a "Just preferred" answer, and this has

clearly been confirmed through their use of the electronic mediums like the Internet

and the electronic sources like the information databases where they recorded high

responses for each. Although this finding is in high consist with Mostert &

Ocholla's study (2005) that revealed that the utilization of electronic sources was

very high, it runs contrary to the view of Alemna & Skouby's study (2000), as their

study showed a very low level of use of electronic information in parliament.

MKPs faced many significant problems when they were seeking for

information. The most significant problems confirmed by them were "The Shortage

of the Library's Role To Deliver Information", followed by the problem of "The

Receny of Information", and "The Use of foreign Languages" problem to access

information. We think there sequences related to these three important problems, as

when the library's role is absent in delivering information, this may affect on the

receny of information, and this in turn make members and their assistants move to

use other places and sources, sometimes foreign places out the state that are mainly

written in non-Arabic language.

Recommendations for Further Research:When came to recommendations, we think the following should be considered:

-The Parliamentary library of the National Assembly, as well as its InformationCenter, should be enhanced on the level of collections, equipments, technology

use, services and qualified stuff in order to meet parliamentarians' needs and

requests.

-Creating what we call it "user profile" for each member in parliament to servehim/her according to his/her needs of research.


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-Activating the service of Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) in theparliamentary library.

-Establishing a smart research unit in parliament providing the member with themost appropriate sources of information rather than the latest and newest

versions of them.

-Information, especially political, should be available with no any kind ofrestrictions for the scientific research service and also for any information

asker.

-Creating a translation unit concerning with those materials handled in forignlanguages, especially the most dominating language working in the

information industry in the world, like the English, French, Spanish, and

Germen languages.

-Problems encountered by members of the parliament, such as the recency ofinformation, high cost of information materials and the foreign language of the

materials should be decreased.

-More Research is highly still needed regarding the information seekingbehavior of parliamentarians, especially in the Arab countries. Parliaments of

these countries should encourage researchers to conduct their researches about

issues related to parliament and parliamentarians easily with a high flexibility

in order to know how we can help those persons who are working in the

decision-making industry and appreciate their needs of information sources.

Acknowledgement

The two researchers wish to thank The Public Authority for Applied Education

& Training (PAAET), state of Kuwait for supporting this study through Research

GrantBE-09-01.

References

Abdel Elah. W. (1999). Developing a Parliamentary Research Services: The

Egyptian Experience. 65 IFLA Council and General Conference, Bangkok,


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Thailand. Retrieved May 20, 2009 from http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla65/papers/069-101e.htm

Alemna, A. and Skouby (2000). An investigating into the information needs and

informationseeking behavior of members of Ghanas legislature. Library

Management 21(5), 235-240.

Arab Times Online. Kuwait population hits 2.992m; Citizens up in number,

down in percentage. Retrieved July 10, 2007 from

http//:www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtime/Kuwait/Viewdet.asp?ID=7168&cat=a

Behavior of Parliamentarians in South Africa. SA Jnl Libs & Info Sci

71(2), p. 136-150.

Borg, W., & Gall, M. (1989). Educational Research: An introduction. New

York: Longman.

Brown, S. & Gilmartin, G. (1969). Sociology today: lacunae, emphases, and

surfeits. The American Sociologist, 4, p. 283-291.

Eskola, E. L. (1998). University students' information seeking behavior in a

changing learning environment - How are students' information needs, seeking and

use affected by new teaching methods? Information Research, 4, 2

Linsky, A. (1975). Stimulating responses to mailed questionnaires: A review.

Journal of Marketing Research, 12, p. 440-453.

Marcell, R., Carcary, I. and Baxter, G. (1999). The Information Needs of United

Kingdom Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Library Management

20(3), pp. 168-178.

Mostert, J. and Ocholla, D. (2005). Information Needs and Information

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Thapisa, A. (1996). Legislative Information Needs of IndigenousParliamentarians in Botswana and Impact of effective decision making.

International Information & Library Review, 28 , 203-232.

Related Sites:

The Arab Inter-parliamentary Union (AIPU):http://www..arab-ipu.org/english

The Constitution of Kuwait:http://www.kuwait-info.com/a_state_system/state_system_articles1.asp

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU):http://www.ipu.org/english/whatipu.htm

The National Assembly of Kuwait:http://www.majlesalommah.net/clt/default.asp

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