Suffering from information overload

Nowadays, technology made is easy to obtaining information . For instance, a researcher who is looking for information can access to all information by using search engines such as Google, Bing and so force. Whereas, 20 years ago his research is limited to the library database and subscribe journals. it is imperative for an individual to confined his research to limited resources to avoid confusion due to overload information.

the problem of information overload has existed for many years, in recent years the problem has become more widely recognised and experienced. Both perceptions and the actual effects of information overload have been exacerbated by the rapid advances made in information and communication technology, although it is not clear cut as to whether the Internet has worsened or improved the situation.although there is an abundance of information available, it is often difficult to obtain useful, relevant information when it is needed. Some solutions put forward to reduce information overload are: a reduction in the duplication of information found in the professional literature; the adoption of personal information management strategies, together with the integration of software solutions such as push technology and intelligent agents; and the provision of value-added information (filtered by software or information specialists). An emphasis is placed on technology as a tool and not the driver, while increased information literacy may provide the key to reducing information overload.(Angela Edmunds and Anne Morris, Department of Information Science, Loughborough University)