Descriptive assessment of information policy initiatives: The government information locator service (GILS) as an example

Abstract

This article demonstrates the use of a descriptive assessment of an information policy initiative using the Government Information Locator Service (GILS) as an example. The techniques discussed in the article include historical perspective, review of the key policy instrument, descriptive modeling, side by side analysis, review of related policy instruments, literature review, and key issues. These techniques for information policy analysis provide a powerful means to assess a particular policy initiative. The approach is especially useful as a means to inform methodology and data collection techniques for empirical policy research.

The impact of the introduction of web information systems (WIS) on information policies: An analysis of the Canadian federal government policies related to WIS*

“…To answer these research questions, a side‐by‐side analysis (McClure, Moen & Bertot, 1999) of the Canadian federal government information policy instruments related to WIS was done. This study uses “policy instruments” as a generic term with regard to laws, policies, guidelines and standards that were either adopted or in the phases of being advanced drafts.…”

National Information Policy developments worldwide I: electronic government

“…A key to public access to US documents has been the Government Information Locator Service, or GILS [54]. Moen and McClure have provided a comprehensive survey of GILS [55].…”