When dealing with government-related information searches, more people turn to the Internet than any other source of information. A report, Information Searches That Solve Problems released on Dec. 30 by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, details how people use a variety of information sources when dealing with a serious illness or health concern; making a decision about school enrollment, financing school, or upgrading work skills; dealing with a tax matter; changing a job or starting a business; and getting information about major programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

The survey -- performed in conjunction with the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign -- found some variance in the results, depending on the type of problem people faced. Experts mattered most when people faced health problems; government agencies topped the list when information about specific programs was the concern. JB