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From two‐step flow to the Internet: The changing array of sources for genetics information seeking

Author

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  • Donald O. Case
  • J. David Johnson
  • James E. Andrews
  • Suzanne L. Allard
  • Kimberly M. Kelly

Abstract

The diffusion of the Internet has radically expanded the readily available sources for information of all types. Information that was once obtained second‐hand from friends and acquaintances—the traditional “two‐step flow”—is now found easily through the Internet. The authors make use of survey data to explore this thesis in regards to information sources about genetic testing and the influence of the Internet on the information seeking behaviors of the public. A telephone survey of a random sample of 882 adults asked them about their knowledge of, concerns about, and interest in genetic testing. Respondents were most likely to first turn to the Internet for information about cancer genetics, second to public libraries, and third to medical doctors. Overall, doctors were the most likely source to be consulted when second and third choices are considered. Age, income, and self‐reported understanding of genetics are shown to be predictors of whether someone goes to medical professionals for advice, rather than to the Internet or public library. The results raise questions about the apparent tendency of the public to regard the Internet as the best source of information on complex topics like genetics, for which it may be ill‐suited.

Suggested Citation

  • Donald O. Case & J. David Johnson & James E. Andrews & Suzanne L. Allard & Kimberly M. Kelly, 2004. "From two‐step flow to the Internet: The changing array of sources for genetics information seeking," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 55(8), pages 660-669, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jamist:v:55:y:2004:i:8:p:660-669
    DOI: 10.1002/asi.20000
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    Cited by:

    1. Dawood Shah Tareen & Dr. Yasmeen Sultana Farooqui, 2021. "Impact Of Fm Radio On The Audience In Small City," ILMA Journal of Social Sciences & Economics (IJSSE), Ilma University, Faculty of Management Science, vol. 1(1), pages 49-73.
    2. Yu Chi & Daqing He & Wei Jeng, 2020. "Laypeople's source selection in online health information‐seeking process," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 71(12), pages 1484-1499, December.
    3. Xiaoli Lu, 2018. "Online communication behavior at the onset of a catastrophe: an exploratory study of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 91(2), pages 785-802, March.
    4. Sangmi Chai & Bomi Choi & Minkyun Kim & T. C. E. Cheng, 2023. "Why do people speak about products online? The role of opinion leadership," Information Technology and Management, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 1-17, March.

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