METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO MONITORING THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE CONTEXT OF STATE INFORMATION POLICY

Abstract

The relevance of the topic is driven by large-scale internal migration processes caused by armed conflict and the need to ensure effective information support for the social adaptation of internally displaced persons (IDPs).  The aim of the article is to substantiate methodological approaches to monitoring the information needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the context of the formation and implementation of Ukraine’s state information policy. The methodological approach is aimed at forming a holistic understanding of the mechanisms for monitoring the information needs of IDPs and identifying directions for improving state information policy. The empirical basis of the study includes regulatory and legal acts of Ukraine governing information relations, public administration, and social protection of IDPs. Analytical materials of public authorities and scientific publications of domestic and foreign scholars were used. The systemic approach was applied to consider IDPs’ information needs as a component of state information policy; the comparative method was used to analyze existing scientific approaches to monitoring information needs; the structural-functional method was applied to identify the elements of the monitoring system and their interrelations. Theoretical and methodological approaches to monitoring information needs are analyzed, including sociological, communication, and managerial approaches to data collection and processing. Special attention is paid to the use of surveys, focus groups, expert interviews, big data analysis, and monitoring of behavioral digital traces as tools for assessing information needs. The main problems of monitoring IDPs’ information needs are identified, including fragmentation of information sources, lack of a unified system for data collection and integration, insufficient interagency coordination, and limited accessibility of digital services for certain population groups. The feasibility of implementing a comprehensive monitoring system based on digital platforms, developing integrated databases, using artificial intelligence tools for analyzing information needs, and strengthening a human-centered approach in public administration is substantiated. The importance of regularly updating methodological approaches to ensure effective monitoring of IDPs’ information needs is emphasized as a promising direction for further research.