MODULE # 6

Course Code : GEC5

Course Title : Purposive Communication
Place of the Course in the Program : General Education

TYPES, CHARACTERISTICS AND WAYS OF OBTAINING AND

DISSEMINATING INFORMATION

Introduction

There are various information around that sometimes people easily believe and
unconsciously shared and disseminated those without further verification of their accuracy and
reliability. Because of this, it resulted to miscommunication, conflicts and dispute.

In learning, obtaining information is very significant since it is the first stage of cognitive
or learning process. After obtaining information, a learner can continue the cognitive process to
varying levels, for instance, he/she may accomplish basic cognitive process by taking the
information and simply storing it in the memory for later recall or remembering. Disseminating
information is equally important in learning, in life in business and in communication. The
purpose of dissemination is to influence people’s behavior so that they will adopt or least become
aware of new idea, product or service which is being disseminated. The use of various kinds of
methods supporting each other is important when planning dissemination.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss the types of information and the different ways of obtaining and disseminating
information.
2. Identify the characteristics and the different methods in disseminating information.
3. Appreciate the different ways of obtaining and disseminating information by actively
participating in the communicative tasks.

Discussion

Definition of Information

Information are knowledge that you get about someone or something. These are facts or
details about a subject. These are the knowledge and data obtained from investigation, study or
instruction, sharing, listening, watching and reading.
Types of Information

There are many types of information we receive each day, these are spiritual, educational,
printed or published, news, social media posts, experiential and rumor.
• Educational Information – these are knowledge learned from the school through formal
instruction or through activities or process of gaining knowledge or skills by studying,
practicing, or experiencing something.
• Printed/Published Information – these are information written in books, encyclopedia,
or other related references that contain information on all branches of knowledge.
• Unpublished Information – these are reported or investigated information from a careful
study or research that aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of
accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or application of such new or revised
theories or laws. Examples are unpublished theses, dissertations, case studies, etc.
• News – these are information reported in a newspaper, magazine, television news
programs, etc.
• Social Media Posts – these are information, ideas, personal messages, and other content
such as videos posted in websites for social networking and microblogging.
• Spiritual Information – these are information usually from a short talk on a religious or
moral topic that are delivered or shared by a priest, a religious practitioner, evangelizer,
etc.
• Experiential Information – these are knowledge gained from a long and eventful life
that give insights and lessons.
• Rumor – information or story that is passed from person to person but has not proven to
be true.

Parts of Information

Information is important to human being as this plays a vital role in communication.

Without a topic or information, conversation will become flavorless. Information has important
parts. One of which is the context. Context is a part of a written or spoken statement that
proceed or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its Meaning or effect. It is the
set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.

While, content is the information and experiences that are directed towards an end-user
or audience. Content is “something that is to be expressed through some speech, writing or any
of various arts”. It is the amount of information conveyed by a particular unit of language in a
particular context.
 On the other hand, meaning is the message conveyed by words, sentences, and symbols
in a context. It is only through meanings that we make sense of our existence. In life, we find
meaning through a sense of purpose which makes life worthwhile. Frank (1978) aptly pointed
out, a firm sense of meaning is essential for optimal human development.

Characteristics of an Information
 Relevant Information is capable of making a difference in making a decision.
 Valid Information is more in-depth information that allows greater insights.
 Reliable information is authentic, consistent, infallible, or information that suggests
consistent dependability of judgment or result.
 Factual Information is something documented, established, confirmable,
supportable, sustainable, verifiable, indisputable, irrefutable, undeniable,
unquestionable and undoubted.

Aside from these, the five characteristics of high-quality information are accuracy,
completeness, consistency, uniqueness, and timeliness. Information needs to be of high quality
to be useful and accurate as well.

Obtaining Information

Teachers and students can obtain information in a number of ways. It can be through
interview, observe, test, surf the net, read, and watch, news or any documentary film, etc. There
are also other ways to get information such as talking with people, focus groups, personal
interviews and survey.

Interviewing

One of the convenient ways to obtain information about a topic is to conduct an

information interview. The person’s goal is to discover the appropriate facts from a person who
knows them.

To conduct a profitable interview, must follow this process:

 Prepare carefully
 Maintain a professional attitude
 Probe
 Record
Observing and Testing

In both observing and testing, someone is carrying out a questioning strategy.

Observing is watching intentionally in order to discover the elements in as situation.

Someone places herself or himself in the situation to observe and record his or her observations.
When observing in order to collect information, the basic facts should be considered.

Surveying

A Survey is defined as research method used for collecting data from pre-defined group
of respondents to gain information and insights on various topics of interest. Surveys have a
variety purposes and can be carried out in many ways. This can be done through telephone
surveys, mail surveys, email surveys, and interest surveys.

Definition of Information Dissemination

Information Dissemination means spreading of information, knowledge, opinions

widely to certain person, people or to a bigger group of audience. The purpose of dissemination
is to influence people’s behavior, so that they will adopt or at least become aware of a new idea,
product or service which is being disseminated. The use of various kinds of methods supporting
each other is important when planning dissemination.

Methods in Disseminating Information

Information should be disseminated properly and accurately. Exact and sufficient

information are only the things to be provided to the proper authority person. The following are
some methods for disseminating information:

1. News release is a written or recorder communication directed at member of the news

media for the purpose of announcing something ostensibly newsworthy.
2. Blog is regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or
small group that is written in an informal or conversational style.
3. Emails are messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to one or
more recipients via network.
4. Text message is a written message, often containing shorts forms of words, sent from one
mobile phone to another.
5. Social networking websites or social media is an online platform which people use to
build social networks or social relations with other people who share similar personal or
career interests, activities, backgrounds or real-life connections.
6. Public service announcements is a message in the public interest disseminated without
charge, with the objective of raising awareness of, and changing public attitudes and
behavior towards, a social issue.
 7. Door to Door is a canvassing technique that is generally used for sales, marketing
advertising, or campaigning, in which the person or persons walk from the door of one
house to the door of another, trying to inform, announce, sell or advertise a product or
service to the general public or gather information.
8. Community meetings is a small-group method of collecting information from
community members. It is used to provide a directed but highly interactive discussion.
Similar to but less formal than a focus group, and it is usually including a larger group.

Suggested References

Bosworth, P. (2019, The power of communication in the workplace. Retrieved March 8,

2019 from https:// leadershipchoice.com/power-good-communication-workplace

Montano Harmon, M. R. Developing Skills for Academic Purposes, California State

University, Fullerton

Badua, Fredis Winda F., Biscocho, Alma l. et al, (2019) Purposive Communication in the
21st Century, St. Andrews Publishing, Plaridel Bulacan

Barut, Jessie S. (2011) “Speak Successfully, A Guide for Effective Speaking for College
Students, Rex Bookstore Sampaloc Manila

Flores, Carmelita S., Lopez, Evelyn B. (2008) Effective Speech Communication,

National Book Store, Manila