Information need as trigger and driver of information seeking: a conceptual analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Cyclic Process ◽  
Information Need ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Nature Of Information ◽  
Anomalous State

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the picture of the motivators for information behaviour by examining the nature of information need as a trigger and driver of information seeking. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual analysis was made by focussing on the ways in which researchers have conceptualised information need in models for human information behaviour (HIB). The study draws on conceptual analysis of 26 key studies focussing on the above topic. Findings Researchers have employed two main approaches to conceptualise information needs in the HIB models. First, information need is approached as a root factor which motivates people to identify and access information sources. Second, information need is approached as a secondary trigger or driver determined by more fundamental factors, for example, the information requirements of task performance. The former approach conceptualises information need as a trigger providing an initial impetus to information seeking, while the latter approach also depicts information need as a driver that keeps the information-seeking process in motion. The latter approach is particularly characteristic of models depicting information seeking as a cyclic process. Research limitations/implications As the study focusses on information need, no attention is devoted to related constructs such as anomalous state of knowledge and uncertainty. Originality/value The study pioneers by providing an in-depth analysis of the nature of information need as a trigger and driver of information seeking. The findings refine the picture of motivators for information behaviour.

scholarly journals Pioneering models for information interaction in the context of information seeking and retrieval

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 966-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Information Interaction ◽  
Depth Analysis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to clarify the conceptual issues of information behaviour research by reviewing the approaches to information interaction in the context of information seeking and retrieval (IS&R). Design/methodology/approach The study uses the conceptual analysis focussing on four pioneering models for interactive IS&R proposed by Belkin, Ingwersen and Ingwersen and Järvelin. Findings A main characteristic of models for information interaction is the tripartite setting identifying information resources accessible through information systems, intermediary/interface and user. Dialogue is a fundamental constituent of information interaction. Early models proposed by Belkin and Ingwersen focussed on the dialogue occurring in user-intermediary interaction, while more recent frameworks developed by Ingwersen and Järvelin devote more attention to dialogue constitutive of user-information system interaction. Research limitations/implications As the study focusses on four models developed within the period of 1984-2005, the findings cannot be generalised to depict the phenomena of information interaction as a whole. Further research is needed to model the specific features of information interaction occurring in the networked information environments in particular. Originality/value The study pioneers by providing an in-depth analysis of the ways in which pioneering researchers have conceptualised the phenomena of interaction in the context of IS&R. The findings contribute to the elaboration of the conceptual space of information behaviour research.

scholarly journals Modeling the interplay of information seeking and information sharing

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 518-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen
Keyword(s):  
Information Sharing ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Information Need ◽  
Interactive Approach ◽  
Sequential Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Depth Analysis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the creation of a holistic picture of information behavior by examining the connections between information seeking and sharing. Design/methodology/approach Conceptual analysis is used to focus on the ways in which the researchers have modeled the interplay of information seeking and sharing. The study draws on conceptual analysis of 27 key studies examining the above issue, with a focus on the scrutiny of six major models for information behavior. Findings Researchers have employed three main approaches to model the relationships between information seeking and sharing. The indirect approach conceptualizes information seeking and sharing as discrete activities connected by an intermediating factor, for example, information need. The sequential approach assumes that information seeking precedes information sharing. From the viewpoint of the interactive approach, information seeking and sharing appear as mutually related activities shaping each other iteratively or in a cyclical manner. The interactive approach provides the most sophisticated research perspective on the relationships of information seeking and sharing and contributes to holistic understanding of human information behavior. Research limitations/implications As the study focuses on information seeking and sharing, no attention is devoted to other activities constitutive of information behavior, for example, information use. Originality/value The study pioneers by providing an in-depth analysis of the connections of information seeking and information sharing.

scholarly journals Australian motor sport enthusiasts’ leisure information behaviour

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 1078-1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Information Management ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Motor Sport ◽  
Information Behaviour

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the leisure information behaviour of motor sport enthusiasts, examining: their information needs; their information seeking and sharing; what personal information they had; and their satisfaction with their information seeking and personal information management efforts. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study examined participants’ information behaviour from a postpositivist and inductive research approach. An online survey was completed by 81 motor sport enthusiasts. The quantitative survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics, whilst the qualitative data were analysed using thematic coding. Findings The research findings highlighted that enthusiasts engaged in mixed serious leisure. They required information before, during and after race events, and sought this primarily from online sources, as well as from other individuals. Totally, 90 participants shared information about their interest in motor sport with family, friends and fellow enthusiasts, primarily via e-mails (69 per cent) and Facebook (49 per cent). They also gathered information about motor sport, including photographs and memorabilia. Participants were satisfied with their information management strategies for their personal collections. Research limitations/implications Participants were limited to motor sport enthusiasts in Australia, hence findings cannot be generalised more broadly. Practical implications Understandings of enthusiasts’ information behaviour provide information management professionals with insights to work with this user community. Originality/value This study fills a gap in the literature about leisure information behaviour of motor sport enthusiasts in Australia. It identifies and provides a typology of the 12 categories of information needed by enthusiasts. Provides a preliminary motor sport information behaviour model guided by the conceptual frameworks of the everyday life information seeking model; general models on information behaviour; and the information problem solving behaviour model.

scholarly journals Levels of critique in models and concepts of human information behaviour research

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Research Domain

PurposeTo elaborate the nature of critique presented in the models and concepts of human information behaviour (HIB) research by identifying the issues to which the critique is directed and the ways in which the critique is conducted.Design/methodology/approachConceptual analysis focusing on 58 key studies on the topic. First, the objects and ways of conducting the critique were identified. Thereafter, three levels of depth at which the critique is conducted were specified. The conceptual analysis is based on the comparison of the similarities and differences between the articulations of critique presented at these levels.FindingsAt the lowest level of depth, critique of HIB research is directed to the lack of research by identifying gaps and complaining the neglect or paucity of studies in a significant domain. At the level of critiquing the shortcomings of existing studies, the attention is focused on the identification and analysis of the inadequacies of concepts and models. Finally, constructive critiques of research approaches dig deeper in that they not only identify weaknesses of existing studies but also propose alternative in which the shortcomings can be avoided, and the conceptualizations of HIB enhanced.Research limitations/implicationsAs the study focuses on critiques addressed to HIB models and concepts, the findings cannot be generalized to concern the field of Library and Information Science (LIS) as a whole. Moreover, due to the emphasis of the qualitative research approach, the findings offer only an indicative picture of the frequency of the objects critiqued in HIB research.Originality/valueThe study pioneers by providing an in-depth analysis of the nature of critiques presented in a LIS research domain.

Competitive intelligence failures

2018 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tumelo Maungwa ◽  
Ina Fourie
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Intelligence Failures

Purpose Competitive intelligence failures have devastating effects in marketplaces. They are attributed to various factors but seldom explicitly to information behaviour. This paper addresses causes of competitive intelligence failures from an information behaviour lens focussing on problems with key intelligence and information needs. The exploratory study was conducted in 2016/2017. Managers (end-users) identify key intelligence needs on which information is needed, and often other staff members seek the information (proxy information seeking). The purpose of this paper is to analyse problems related to key intelligence and information needs, and make recommendations to address the problems. Design/methodology/approach The study is placed in a post-positivism research paradigm, using qualitative and limited quantitative research approaches. In total, 15 participants (competitive intelligence professionals and educators/trainers originating from South Africa and the USA) contributed rich data through in-depth individual interviews. Findings Problems associated with articulation of information needs (key intelligence needs is the competitive intelligence term – with a broader scope) include inadequate communication between the person in need of information and the proxy information searcher; awareness and recognition of information needs; difficulty in articulation, incomplete and partial sharing of details of needs. Research limitations/implications Participant recruitment was difficult, representing mostly from South Africa. The findings from this exploratory study can, however, direct further studies with a very understudied group. Practical implications However, revealed valuable findings that can guide research. Originality/value Little has been published on competitive intelligence from an information behaviour perspective. Frameworks guiding the study (a combination of Leckie et al.’s 1996 and Wilson’s, 1981 models and a competitive intelligence life cycle), however, revealed valuable findings that can guide research.

scholarly journals The information behaviours of maximum security prisoners

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Canning ◽  
Steven Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Information Need ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maximum Security ◽  
Interpersonal Information ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of the information behaviours of prisoners, providing insight into their information needs and information-seeking preferences, and the factors influencing their behaviours; to inform education and rehabilitation programmes. Design/methodology/approach The paper is an in-depth qualitative study. The theoretical framework was provided via Chatman’s (1996) concepts of information poverty. Participants were adult male prisoners in a Scottish maximum security prison, and prison staff. Data collection method was semi-structured interviews. Findings Prisoners have a broad range of information needs, many sensitive and many unmet. Interpersonal information sources are predominantly used due to a combination of natural preference and restricted access to other information sources. Issues of stigma and trust influence information behaviours. Further issues include restrictive social norms, and disinformation to incite violence. A significant degree of risk is therefore inherent within interpersonal information interactions, fostering self-protective acts of secrecy and deception amongst prisoners. Unmet emotional needs appear particularly problematic. Research limitations/implications The paper highlights the need for further research exploring issues of unmet emotional needs in prisoners; in particular, assistive methods of need recognition and support in the problematic context. Practical implications The paper identifies significant unmet information needs in prisoners that impact upon their ability to cope with incarceration, and prepare for successful release and reintegration. Originality/value The paper addresses an understudied group of significant societal concern and advances the understanding of information need in context, providing insight into unmet needs and issues of affect in the incarcerated small world context.

scholarly journals Heuristics elements of information-seeking strategies and tactics: a conceptual analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 1322-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
General Level ◽  
Heuristics And Biases ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Representativeness Heuristic ◽  
The Past ◽  
Information Scent ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Research Programmes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the picture of strategies and tactics for information seeking and searching by focusing on the heuristic elements of such strategies and tactics. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual analysis of a sample of 31 pertinent investigations was conducted to find out how researchers have approached heuristics in the above context since the 1970s. To achieve this, the study draws on the ideas produced within the research programmes on Heuristics and Biases, and Fast and Frugal Heuristics. Findings Researchers have approached the heuristic elements in three major ways. First, these elements are defined as general level constituents of browsing strategies in particular. Second, heuristics are approached as search tips. Third, there are examples of conceptualizations of individual heuristics. Familiarity heuristic suggests that people tend to prefer sources that have worked well in similar situations in the past. Recognition heuristic draws on an all-or-none distinction of the information objects, based on cues such as information scent. Finally, representativeness heuristic is based on recalling similar instances of events or objects and judging their typicality in terms of genres, for example. Research limitations/implications As the study focuses on three heuristics only, the findings cannot be generalized to describe the use of all heuristic elements of strategies and tactics for information seeking and searching. Originality/value The study pioneers by providing an in-depth analysis of the ways in which the heuristic elements are conceptualized in the context of information seeking and searching. The findings contribute to the elaboration of the conceptual issues of information behavior research.

Information seeking behaviour of beggars in Accra

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 205-220
Author(s):  
Charlotte Owusu ◽  
Philip Kwaku Kankam
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Single Individual ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour

Purpose It is evident that human existence is highly dependent on information. Information is considered to be an essential right of every single individual to sustain life and enjoy it as well. The benefits of looking into the information behaviour of people can, therefore, not be overemphasised. However, there is a yawning gap in research conducted into the information behaviour of marginalised groups such as beggars. This study aims to investigate the information seeking behaviour of beggars in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Through a case study design, the study used a qualitative approach and interpretivist paradigm to look into this phenomenon. In total, ten beggars were sampled from the beggar population in Accra through the use of convenient and snowball sampling techniques. A semi-structured interview schedule was used as data collection tool to solicit responses from the participants. Findings The study revealed that beggars in Accra lacked understanding of their information needs, although they were heavily dependent on information for their tasks and survival. Again, the findings of the study showed that beggars were faced with information seeking barriers such as illiteracy, lack of information literacy skills and financial resources. The study recommends the need for stakeholders to look into the social welfare and literacy needs of beggars. Originality/value The authors consider the study original both in conceptualisation and design. The main question being interrogated stems from identified gaps in the literature and the study intends to fill these knowledge gaps. The study’s originality also stems from the fact that there is a paucity of information on the subject of study in the context of Ghana.

scholarly journals Model Perilaku Pencarian Informasi (Analisis Teori Perilaku Pencarian Informasi Menurut David Ellis)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Rendi Purnama
Keyword(s):  
Information Search ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Information Need ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Nature Of Information ◽  
Search For Information

Introduction. This paper will discuss about information seeking behavior. Information is the target that is sought after by all people. The amount of information becomes a necessity for humans. This information need refers to the public or users who really need information. Information needs can be used for all circles without exception. From this information need, information seeking behavior will arise as a means of seeking information to obtain the information you want to find. Behavior Information behavior is a pattern of human behavior in terms of the nature of information, both in the involvement of using and in the search for information. The behavior referred to here is how a person gets information through his behavior.Data Collection Methods. The method used in this paper is literature study where the data sources of this paper are books, magazines, journals and references related to information seeking behavior according to David Ellis so that it can be analyzed carefully. The process of collecting data goes through 3 processes, namely editing, organizing and findingData Analysis In this paper, the author analyzes the data using the opinion or theory of David Ellis in information seeking behavior as the main referenceResults and Discussion. Information seeking behavior according to David Ellis has several characteristics including starting as the initial stage in information search, chaining which is the stage to browse literature through quotes from books or journals, browsing which is the tracing stage, differentiating which is the screening stage of the sources obtained.,monitoring as a means of monitoring developments, extracting as a means of continuing the search, verifying which is the stage of checking the information that has been obtained, and finally ending as a cover for searching and searching for information.Conclusion. Based on the findings, David Ellis shows that  there are 8 characteristics of information seeking behavior, namely starting chaining browsing, differentiating monitoring, extracting, verifying ending.

Conceptual growth in integrated models for information behaviour

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen
Keyword(s):  
Information Retrieval ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Integrated Models ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Abstraction Level ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Object Of Study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the picture of the nature of integrated models for information behaviour from the perspective of conceptual growth in this field of study. Design/methodology/approach – Conceptual analysis focusing on the ways in which the researchers have developed integrated models. The study concentrates on seven key models proposed by Bates, Choo and associates, Godbold, Robson and Robinson, and Wilson. Findings – Researchers have employed four main approaches to develop integrated models. First, such frameworks are based on the juxtaposition of individual models. Second, integrated models are built by cross-tabulating the components of diverse models. Third, such models are constructed by relating similar components of individual models. Finally, integrated models are built by incorporating components taken from diverse frameworks. The integrated models have contributed to conceptual growth in three major ways: first, by integrating formerly separate parts of knowledge; second, by generalizing and explaining lower abstraction-level knowledge through higher level constructs; and third, by expanding knowledge by identifying new characteristics of the object of study. Research limitations/implications – The findings are based on the comparison of seven models only. The integrated frameworks of information retrieval were excluded from the study. Originality/value – The study pioneers by providing an in-depth analysis the nature of integrated models for information behaviour. The findings contribute to the identification of the key factors of information behaviour.

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