Results of a Factorial Survey Investigating the Health Information Seeking Behaviors of Older Adults

摘要

This paper presents the results of research of an experimental research method, the factorial survey, investigating the health information seeking preferences of older adults (60 years and older). Volunteer subjects from rural, urban, and suburban areas in Ohio participated in this study; 450 subjects responded to health information seeking vignettes (the key feature of factorial surveys) and provided demographic data. Using regression analysis and ANOVA, findings from this study address preferences for the format of materials, information on particular health topics, and, preferences for receiving assistance from information providers such as librarians, nurses, pharmacists, and, doctors.