Challenges of Digital Divide as a Precursor for Effective Information Retrieval

Abstract

Access is a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for overcoming the digital divide. Access to ICT meets significant challenges that stem from income restrictions. Furthermore, even though individuals might be capable of accessing the Internet, many are thwarted by barriers to entry such as a lack of means to infrastructure or the inability to comprehend the information that the Internet provides. Lack of adequate infrastructure and lack of knowledge are two major obstacles that create the digital divide. These barriers limit individuals' capabilities in what they can do and what they can achieve in accessing technology. since Effective Information retrieval (EIR) lays emphasis on obtaining information resources relevant to an information need from a collection of information resources, it therefore becomes pertinent to x-ray how effective information retrieval can be achieved by having good knowledge of the digital divide and using it to achieve effective information retrieval since the digital emphasises on the infrastructure by which individuals, households, businesses, and communities connect to the Internet. The digital divide addresses the physical mediums that people use to connect to the Internet such as desktop computers, laptops, basic mobile phones or smartphones, iPods or other MP3 players, gaming consoles such as Xbox or PlayStation, electronic book readers, and tablets such as iPad. The concluding part of this paper dwelt on the need to close the digital gap because of its implications for effective information retrieval towards young people, women, marginalised and then the poor.