Characteristics of human perception and their relevance when studying information behavior

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight findings regarding human perception in allied disciplines and to argue that information behaviour research needs to find ways to address human characteristics that imply that: first, subjects are likely to fail to recognize information that is present in an environment and potentially relevant to a task at hand; and second, subjects would not be able to report on the fact that they failed to recognize the information. The authors also discuss as to how information behaviour research can address the aforementioned challenges resulting from human movement and perception. Design/methodology/approach – The author draws on the literature primarily in cognitive science and psychology to highlight the findings that are most relevant to the scientific study of information behaviour, to develop a model of the information environment in which information behaviour is situated, and to critically examine how data is collected in information behaviour research. Ways to provide more comprehensive information about information behaviour are also discussed. Findings – The literature in cognitive science and psychology suggests that failing to notice information relevant to a task at hand may not be the exception but to be expected, and needs to be taken into account by information behaviour researchers. Popular data collection methods including questionnaires and interviews do not pick that up because subjects would not be aware of the fact which means in turn that they cannot articulate the fact either. This suggests that: first, current models of information behaviour focus too much on one side of the coin; and second, information behaviour researchers may need to complement their data collection methods with data collection methods such as gaze tracking. Research limitations/implications – This is a conceptual paper based on the careful analysis of relevant research primarily in cognitive science and psychology. Relating theory to practice provides a strong indication of the general validity of the findings but there may be other aspects that have not been covered as yet. Originality/value – The paper is unique in that it critically reviews information behaviour research from a human perception and movement point of view. There have been papers criticizing information behaviour research from a methodological point of view. This paper adds to that body of work and proposes a way forward.

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Electronic and paper based data collection methods in library and information science research

New Library World ◽

10.1108/nlw-12-2014-0138 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 116 (9/10) ◽

pp. 588-609 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Adeyinka Tella

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Information Science ◽

Library And Information Science ◽

Collection Method ◽

Content Type ◽

Electronic Data Collection ◽

Data Collection Methods ◽

Electronic Method ◽

Information Professionals ◽

Collection Methods

Purpose – This study aims to examine a comparative analysis of electronic- and paper-based data collection methods. Design/methodology/approach – Survey research approach was adopted to conduct the study. A total of 500 library and information science (LIS) researcher/information professionals selected randomly from seven states in Nigeria represent the sample for the study. A self-designed questionnaire was used to gather data from the respondents. Six objectives were developed to guide the study. Findings – The findings reveal that there is preference for paper-based than the electronic-based data collection methods, and similarly, respondents indicated they cannot use any other data collection methods other than paper-based. Electronic data collection method is beneficial in terms of gathering a representative sample within a short period compared to the paper-based method. The researcher has control over access to the survey in the paper-based method compared to the electronic method, and there is opportunity to monitor the progress of the research and clarify ambiguity by the researcher. The electronic method is limited in terms of collecting data from only the respondents who are computer-literate with good Web skills, while the paper-based method is limited by higher attrition rate, money and time consumption. Research limitations/implications – The study did not consider the time needed to gather data with each method or the amount of time needed for data entry, cleaning and coding. It is possible that a time-motion study would reveal clear superiority of either one method or the other. The total sample of participants in the study is also limited, considering the total number of LIS researcher/information professionals in Nigeria. Practical implications – The study has underlined the value of electronic/Web-based collection as a cost- and time-saving instrument in modern LIS research. Regardless of method and trial, electronic data collection could fulfill in all examined parameters, its promises, realizing cost savings of up to a 50 per cent in comparison with the paper-based data collection method. Originality/value – The paper is solely the idea of the author.

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The measurement of carbon performance of construction activities

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment ◽

10.1108/20466091211260596 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 153-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Z. Ren ◽

V. Chrysostomou ◽

T. Price

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Carbon Emissions ◽

Research Work ◽

Project Planning ◽

Content Type ◽

Online System ◽

Data Collection Methods ◽

Operational Activities ◽

Carbon Performance ◽

Collection Methods

PurposeThe purpose of this research project is to reduce the carbon emissions of construction processes by Measuring, Mapping, Modelling and Managing (4Ms) the carbon performance of construction activities. This particular paper presents the research work and major findings in the first two stages: measuring the carbon footprint of construction activities in building projects; and mapping the carbon emissions from construction activities.Design/methodology/approachA hotel project in South Wales was selected as a case study where the carbon emissions from six categories of construction activities (i.e. management, operations, visitors, deliveries, plant and utilities) were monitored by using carefully designed data collection methods throughout the construction process. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods were adopted to distil and map the emissions with construction activities.FindingsThis study provides a benchmark for the carbon emissions from construction processes. The results show that construction activities generate more carbon than expected. Of the CO2 emitted, materials delivery, operational activities and plant operation account for more than 90 per cent of the total emissions. Activities from management, visitors and utilities only contributed 10 per cent of the CO2 emissions. Carbon emissions from construction processes can be best managed through project planning/scheduling where carbon emissions should be considered as a new criterion for project planning along with time, cost and quality.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations with the data collection methods adopted in this study. For example, the fuel/CO2 emission conversion rate for plant was obtained from online sources. This rate needs to be validated and adjusted on‐site with CO2 measurement gauges for different equipment. Similarly, the fuel efficiency adjusting rates for vehicles also need to be checked and verified constantly.Practical implicationsThe on‐site carbon emission methods, the mapping approaches between the emission and construction activities, and the online system developed in this study (www.constructco2.com/default.aspx) are all embraced by the industry. So far, 76 projects have already subscripted to the online system.Originality/valueThis study developed a set of systematic and feasible approaches to measuring and analysing carbon emissions from construction activities. Unlike the existing studies which mainly focus on recording the carbon emissions on‐site, this research measured the emissions, and mapped the emissions with construction activities. The online system developed could analyse the data collected and support the contractor to decide in which aspects they should make effort to control the carbon emissions.

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Methodological proposals for the study of consumer experience

Qualitative Market Research An International Journal ◽

10.1108/qmr-01-2017-0036 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 465-490 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Larissa Becker

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Empirical Investigation ◽

Consumer Experience ◽

Content Type ◽

Data Collection Methods ◽

Diary Methods ◽

Value Propositions ◽

Event Based ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Collection Methods

Purpose As the consumer experience literature broadens in scope – specifically, from dyads to ecosystems and from provider-centric to consumer-centric perspective – traditional data collection methods are no longer adequate. In that context, the paper aims to discuss three little-used data collection methods that can contribute to this broader view of consumer experience. Design/methodology/approach The paper identifies methodological requirements for exploring the broadened view of consumer experience and reviews data collection methods currently in use. Findings The paper elaborates tailored guidelines for the study of consumer experience through first-hand, systemic and processual perspectives for three promising and currently underused data collection methods: phenomenological interviews, event-based approaches and diary methods. Research limitations/implications Although the list of identified methods is not exhaustive, the methods and guidelines discussed here can be used to advance empirical investigation of consumer experience as more broadly understood. Practical implications Practitioners can apply these methods to gain a more complete view of consumers’ experiences and so offer value propositions compatible with those consumers’ lifeworlds. Originality/value The paper principally contributes to the literature in two ways: by defining the methodological requirements for investigating consumer experience from consumer-centric, systemic and processual perspectives, and by specifying a set of data collection methods that meet these requirements, along with tailored guidelines for their use.

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Understanding digital moms: motivations to interact with brands on social networking sites

Qualitative Market Research An International Journal ◽

10.1108/qmr-01-2017-0013 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 70-87 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Teresa Treviño ◽

José Luis Pineda Garelli

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Social Networking ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Relationship Maintenance ◽

Online Environment ◽

Content Type ◽

Data Collection Methods ◽

Brand Relationship ◽

Interpretative Approach ◽

Collection Methods

Purpose This paper aims to explore the motivations of digital moms to develop relationships with brands in the online environment. Design/methodology/approach Following a qualitative, interpretative approach, this paper uses several data collection methods such as netnography, focus groups and in-depth interviews to fully understand the motivations of digital moms. Findings The results suggest that eight motivations influence consumers to engage with and follow brands on their social networking sites: information, entertainment, knowledge-seeking, social influence, social interaction, brand-relationship maintenance, communication and self-expression. A proposed framework that categorizes these motivations based on the level of engagement, and the type of user is discussed along with the new functions that brands fulfill in the online environment. Research limitations/implications These findings have practical implications for managers seeking to design and implement improved branding strategies to develop stronger, more meaningful relationships with their customers. The location of participants of this study can be considered as a limitation, as the different life situations or contexts of other Internet users may alter the results. Originality/value This study recognizes important changes in consumer behavior elicited by online technologies. Several qualitative data collection methods are used to identify and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the motivations of digital moms to interact with brands online. A major contribution of this research is the establishment of a link between consumer-brand relationship theory and uses and gratifications theory.

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A qualitative approach to automated motels: a rising issue in South Korea

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management ◽

10.1108/ijchm-03-2017-0127 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (7) ◽

pp. 2622-2636 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Hyojin Kim ◽

Byung-Gook Kim

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Hotel Industry ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Data Collection Methods ◽

Individual Privacy ◽

Analysis Technique ◽

Template Analysis ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Collection Methods

Purpose Apart from a few negative social effects of automated motels, this study aims to represent the first attempt to examine why consumers visit automated motels in Korea and how they feel about them using a qualitative research method. Design/methodology/approach To secure the validity of the data, a triangulation method which applied three data collection methods was used. Semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, participatory online observation and template analysis, as data collection methods and an analysis technique were conducted. Findings Findings indicate that the main purposes of visiting these motels are for affairs and other sexual experiences, while there are also other major objectives such as individual privacy and business trips. Key determinants found in the analyses are anonymity, the room rate and more thematic factors. Research limitations/implications Given the rising issue that there is a rapid growth in the market for automated motels beyond perceived negative images, those in the hospitality industry should devote attention to effective alternatives such as focusing on the inherent purpose of lodging with many other conveniences as well. For future studies, developing an instrument, investigating perspectives of the automated motel providers and comparing with research on automated hotels conducted in European countries are necessary. Practical implications This study provides some of the strengths of automated motels such as the assurance of anonymity during tourists’ stay and automated payment method in the parking garage that apply to the Korean middle-scale hotel industry. As the sector of automated motels provides favorable profit for the owners and the Korean hotel industry around Seoul always runs short of hotel provisions, this study implies that the governments and administrations should find a solution to replace the regular lodging group of automated motels with a category of tourist hotels. Originality/value Although there is unusual popularity and a considerably growing number of automated motels in Korea, scant research has been conducted relative to automated motels. Despite difficulty in debating the current issue of automated motels, this study, as the first pioneering research on automated motels in Korea, endeavored to address this issue and discuss its social and political implications based upon the findings.

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