The Information Cycle: Information Cycle

The information cycle describes how information is produced, distributed, and changes over time, i.e. from an event covered on media to analysis in books and journal articles.  Knowledge of the information cycle can be helpful when you are writing a research paper because it provides a structure for thinking about how to find and evaluate information sources for your projects.  

The  information cycle will help you:

• recognize how information changes over time
• identify a variety of information formats
• use information format in the evaluation process
• use library tools to find the information you need

The Palm Beach State College Library offers access to books, magazines, encyclopedias, journals, newspapers, media, and websites through an online catalog and over 180 databases.   

Palm Beach College Library

Other resources:

Use the Information Cycle to get the right sources for your college paper.

 Shoreline Community College

This 2-minute video gives you an example of how information formats are created.  Used with permission from Portland State University Library.