Needs assessment for information consultant profession

In an era where information permeates every facet of our lives, the role of information consultants has gained prominence. These professionals serve as navigators, guiding individuals, organizations, and communities through the vast sea of data, ensuring informed decisions and meaningful outcomes. The aim of this research is to conduct a needs assessment for establishing the information consultant profession. Information consultant needs assessment involves examining the areas of need, the dimensions of those needs, and the requirements for acquiring this profession. Introducing the characteristics of information consultants appears essential given the rapid advancement of sciences and society’s need for purposeful guidance to access scientific and social benefits and achievements. In this comprehensive study, a needs assessment was meticulously conducted to uncover the underlying necessities within the information consultant profession.

The present research carried out with a qualitative approach and a combination of two tools was used for data collection: library study and structured interviews. In this study, initially, relevant texts were extracted through systematic searches in target databases, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and domestic databases such as IranDoc, SID, and NoorMags. For the extraction of variables related to information consulting needs, 458 open codes were obtained from text analysis. Additionally, 122 codes were identified from interviews conducted with 12 experts in this field. Subsequently, the extracted codes from expert interviews were integrated with the concepts from the texts (a total of 580 codes). The main themes (selective coding) were categorized into four groups: current, incipient, unanswered, and future needs.

After a review of history and the groundworks of information consultant profession, a needs assessment was conducted to reveal the critical needs for the establishment of the information consultant profession. The recent needs assessment conducted shed light on these diverse requirements, categorizing them into four distinct areas. Regarding the requirements for establishing a professional information-sharing profession, 32 categories were identified, comprising a total of 580 components. Among the current needs, we can mention health literacy, engagement in industrial processes, resilience in the face of disruptions and unforeseen conditions, and job placement and career change. For incipient needs, we can highlight circular economy, integration with artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, virtual identity and social networks, and industrial and commercial domains related to the human genome. Unaddressed needs include themes: organizational culture internationalization and compatibility, multi-modal data, increased uncertainty and the need for innovation, widespread use of clean energy, conflict between transparency and the interests of the organization, security and confidentiality in Metaverse. Future needs include: expanding boundaries and administrative processes, the secret language of science, cloud-based life, and cyborg-human integration.

Originality/value:

 Delving into the intricate world of information needs, we explored the essential role played by information consultants in our society. Beyond mere data retrieval, we dissected the dimensions of these needs, revealing why information consultants truly matter. By gaining a holistic understanding of our evolving information landscape, we recognized that information consultants must be well-equipped to address diverse requirements—from immediate queries to emerging trends. This research not only highlighted the extensive information needs but also laid the groundwork for a specialized profession. Whether deciphering health information, staying updated on global events or making informed business decisions, individuals seek reliable sources and expert insights. Information consultants, with their outside perspective and accumulated experience, bridge the gap, offering expertise, context, and personalized support.