Searching, sharing and singing: understanding the information behaviors of choral directors

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-208
Author(s):  
Christine Fena
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Information Discovery ◽  
Choral Directors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Concert Programs

PurposeThis article aims to help music librarians and other information professionals effectively understand and support communities of choral directors and other groups dependent on networking and serendipitous information encounters. In addition, through discussion and comparison of theories of information behavior, research articles and analysis of events and experiences, the article encourages thoughtful and practical applications of information behavior research.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper uses different theories of information behavior to outline three distinct modes of learning and knowing within communities of choral directors: individual searching, community expertise and serendipitous encounters.FindingsThe choral directing community is one that benefits not only from information support systems that emphasize individual information seeking, but also collaborative networking and serendipitous encounters with other community members. Librarians and other information professionals can best help this group discover new repertoire, plan concert programs, improve rehearsals and support other relevant activities through understanding and helping to provide access to professional music networks and being creative in providing opportunities for serendipitous information discovery.Originality/valueLittle information behavior research and discussion have focused specifically on the information practices of choral directors and how the format and schedule of a professional choral conference illuminate such practices and needs.

Use of social media for information discovery and delivery among information professionals in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashfaq Hussain ◽  
Taimoor-Ul-Hassan ◽  
Ghulam Shabir
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Information Discovery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Uses And Gratification ◽  
Uses And Gratification Theory ◽  
Information Professional ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Information Professionals

Purpose This study aims to examine how information professionals select a social media channel for information discovery and delivery. This analysis was focused to provide usage based ranking of social media channels for information discovery and delivery. This study has also measured the preference of social media as compared with other information and communication channels such as radio, TV, newspapers, etc., for information discovery and delivery. This study compared the global social media rank with the study rank to record the variances in the light of uses and gratification theory. Design/methodology/approach For this quantitative research study a self-administered survey questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants of the study. Sample of this study was 700 information professionals necessarily user of social media. Findings Findings of this reveals that social media is the most preferred channel for information discovery and delivery among information professionals and study validates the assumption of uses and gratification theory with a view that information professionals are independent and active users of social media and global rank of social media is significantly different from the rank developed in this study. Research limitations/implications The present study is limited to information professionals only and considers social media (only top 20 sites) as an information and communication channel among information professionals. Practical implications This study has determined the preference of social media as an information and communication channel as compared with other information and communication channels and present a ranking based on usage among information professional, which is significantly different from the existing global user based ranking. Social implications Social media provides versatility of information in different forms and large numbers of information professionals are the users of social media around globe. This study shall help information professional to select appropriate channels for information discovery and delivery. Usage based ranking provided in this study shall stream line the social media practices at large. Originality/value This study has developed a usage based rank of top social media. This study elaborated the preference of social media as an information and communication channel.

Chatman's Theories of Information Behavior (1996, 1999, 2000)

2015 ◽  
pp. 136-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullahi I. Musa
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Cultural Dynamics ◽  
Information Behaviors ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Theories ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Theory Of Information ◽  
Information Poverty

Information behaviors are complex practices rooted within individual's everyday social and cultural dynamics. However, understanding the social and cultural dynamics of information seeking and use is a major challenge for many graduate students, scholars, and information practitioners. The objective of this chapter is to advance the understandings of social contexts and cultural situations in information behavior processes using Chatman's theories of information behaviors: theory of information poverty, theory of life in the round, and the theory of normative behavior. Over the past twenty years scholars have adopted Chatman's theories as a lens to illuminate understandings of information behaviors in diverse contexts and situations. This chapter synthesizes these studies. The chapter is useful for information professionals and scholars who are interested in applying social theories to examine the social and cultural dynamics of information practices in different settings.

Patrick Wilson reference: practice rooted in theory

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 2-5
Author(s):  
Jodi Kearns
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relevant Today ◽  
Look Back ◽  
Information Professionals

Purpose – This paper aims to examine Patrick Wilson’s 1977 essay, Public Knowledge, Private Ignorance, which emphasizes practice rooted in theory. Modern reference work ought to look back to this 35-year-old essay to be reminded of the intent of reference practice by considering Wilson’s discussion. Design/methodology/approach – This paper examines Wilson’s decades-old thesis and applies it to reference work and reference resources for today’s information professionals. Findings – The crux of Wilson’s essay remains relevant today when applied to reference work and information-seeking. Originality/value – This essay leaves readers with practical tips for reference work rooted in theory, and also expands on Wilson’s 1977 essay from a contemporary viewpoint, providing guidance for modern reference librarianship.

Role of Social Networking for Information Seeking in a Digital Library Environment

2016 ◽  
pp. 272-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganiyu Ojo Adigun ◽  
Oluwole Akanmu Odunola ◽  
Adewale Joel Sobalaje
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Evolutionary Development ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Social Networking Tools

This chapter discusses how to use social networking tools for information seeking in a digital library environment. Social networking is an evolutionary development of online participation, where people of common interest communicate, share and contribute content on the social cyberspace. The role of social networking for information seeking in libraries, most especially digital library is still evolving and cannot be over-emphasized. There is the need for libraries to exploit the advantages presented by these new media in providing better services. Social networking tools enable librarians and other information professionals to communicate, network and share documents with many clients regardless of location, and at little or no expense and viz. The chapter looks at: information seeking / search process; digital libraries; social networking as a concept; relationship between web 2.0, library 2.0, social media and social networking; role of social networking in digital library environment; role of information professionals in using social networking; social media platforms in digital library environment; challenges and prospects of integrating social networking with digital libraries and ways to improve the use of social networking for information seeking and dissemination in the future.

scholarly journals Nurses’ and midwives’ information behaviour: a review of literature from 1998 to 2014

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 155-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Ebenezer
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Literacy Skill ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Professional Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Nurses And Midwives

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an overview of recent literature on nurses’ and midwives’ information behaviour, with a particular focus on sources used and barriers encountered. Design/methodology/approach – Comprehensive searching was undertaken and an analysis of the appropriate literature carried out. Findings – Practitioners within the nursing profession have a marked preference for interactive and human sources of information. They habitually associate information seeking with professional development rather than with clinical practice. Lack of time is the most frequently reported problem; also, they frequently lack confidence in searching and appraising the professional literature and in applying research in practice. Cultural factors may inhibit information seeking in the workplace, and access to appropriate information technology may be limited. Practical implications – As a group, nurses and midwives present significant challenges to health library and information professionals seeking to design services to meet their needs. A perceived lack of access to information resources may be associated with pervasive information literacy skill deficits, with the inability to undertake critical appraisal of material that is retrieved, or with the lack of a workplace culture that is supportive of information seeking. To reach nurses and midwives, more than diligent marketing is required; library and information professionals need to work closely with the holders of nursing and midwifery research, practice development and educational roles within their institutions on “embedded”, specific information initiatives. Originality/value – An overview of recent work is presented on the information behaviour of nurses and midwives within developed economies, focusing particularly on the UK. It may be of interest and value to health librarians and to nursing and midwifery educators in facilitating evidence-based practice.

Serendipity in human information behavior: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaxi Liu ◽  
Chunxiu Qin ◽  
Xubu Ma ◽  
Huigang Liang
Keyword(s):  
Information Behavior ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information Discovery ◽  
Research Topics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Information Behavior ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Important Approach ◽  
New Research

PurposeSerendipitous information discovery has become a unique and important approach to discovering and obtaining information, which has aroused a growing interest for serendipity in human information behavior. Despite numerous publications, few have systematically provided an overview of current state of serendipity research. Consequently, researchers and practitioners are less able to make effective use of existing achievements, which limits them from making advancements in this domain. Against this backdrop, we performed a systematic literature review to explore the world of serendipity and to recapitulate the current states of different research topics.Design/methodology/approachGuided by a prior designed review protocol, this paper conducted both automatic and manual search for available studies published from January 1990 to December 2020 on seven databases. A total of 207 serendipity studies closely related to human information behavior form the literature pool.FindingsWe provide an overview of distinct aspects of serendipity, that is research topics, potential benefits, related concepts, theoretical models, contextual factors and data collection methods. Based on these findings, this review reveals limitations and gaps in the current serendipity research and proposes an agenda for future research directions.Originality/valueBy analyzing current serendipity research, developing a knowledge framework and providing a research agenda, this review is of significance for researchers who want to find new research questions or re-align current work, for beginners who need to quickly understand serendipity, and for practitioners who seek to cultivate serendipity in information environments.

Toward a unified model of human information behavior: an equilibrium perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 666-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiqun Liu
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Unified Model ◽  
Equilibrium Analysis ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Information Behavior ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
State Process

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to build a unified model of human information behavior (HIB) for integrating classical constructs and reformulating the structure of HIB theory. Design/methodology/approach This paper employs equilibrium perspective from partial equilibrium theory to conceptualization and deduction, starting from four basic assumptions. Findings This paper develops two models to incorporate previous HIB research approaches into an equilibrium-analysis-oriented information supply-demand (ISD) framework: first, the immediate-task/problem-based and everyday life information-seeking (ELIS)-sense-making approaches are incorporated into the short-term ISD model; second, the knowledge-construction-oriented and ability-based HIB research approaches are elaborated by the long-term ISD model. Relations among HIB theories are illustrated via the method of graphical reasoning. Moreover, these two models jointly reveal the connection between information seeking in immediate problematic situations and long-term ability improvement. Originality/value The equilibrium framework enables future research to explore HIB from three perspectives: stages: group the classical concepts (e.g. anomalous state of knowledge, uncertainty) into different stages (i.e. start state, process, goal state) and see how they interact with each other within and across different stages; forces: explore information behaviors and information-related abilities as information supply and demand forces, and see how different forces influence each other and jointly motivate people to pursue the equilibriums between outside world and mental model; and short term and long term: study the connections between short-term information seeking and long-term ability improvement at both theoretical and empirical levels.

Applicability of solitary model of information behavior in students’ collaborative learning assignments

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 190-207
Author(s):  
Faraja Ndumbaro ◽  
Stephen Mutula
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Patterns ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis paper aims to present results of a study which examined students’ collaborative information behavior (CIB) in comparison with behavioral patterns illustrated in Wilson’s (1996) model of information behavior.Design/methodology/approachA total of six groups of undergraduate students; four from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and two from Ardhi University (ARU) were purposively selected. Data were collected using semi participant observation, critical incident interviews and focus group discussion methods.FindingsResults indicate that students’ CIB is mainly shaped by collaborative learning environment, learning tasks objectives and requirements. Despite its wider applicability in different domains and contexts, Wilson’s (1996) model is partially appropriate in modeling students’ group-based learning information behavioral activities. Person(s) in context and active and passive information seeking are aspects of the model which are observed to be relevant in students’ CIB.Practical implicationsThe study has implications on teaching and learning practices in higher learning institutions.Originality/valueThe study provides new insights on how students exhibit different information behavioral patterns during collaborative learning. The study fills a gap on how solitary models of information behavior can be used to model students’ information behavior in team-based learning.

scholarly journals Coming to America: Iranians' use of Telegram for immigration information seeking

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 561-585
Author(s):  
Sarah Nikkhah ◽  
Angela P. Murillo ◽  
Alyson Leigh Young ◽  
Andrew D. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
End User ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Practices ◽  
The Us ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Share Information

PurposeThis study examines Iran-US migrants' use of the most popular messaging application in Iran—Telegram—and shows how they use it to manage their migration information practices.Design/methodology/approachThis study took a qualitative observation approach. Over the course of six months, over 80 h of observations were conducted on Iran-US migration-related settings within Telegram.FindingsThis work identifies the information practices that emerge as users seek and share information related to Iran-US migration. Telegram plays a vital role across the immigration stages, predominantly in the pre-migration stage. This work also shows how the constraints and features of Telegram influence users' information sharing and seeking practices.Practical implicationsThe findings support the implication that a social media platform that provides multiple ways to interact is likely to better support niche or unanticipated uses.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind to explore Iranian Immigrants information practices in the US. The immigration information practices observed during this study represent a valuable example of end-user appropriation within extraordinary constraints, which may be of use in other information-seeking contexts where dedicated or bespoke tools are impractical or ill-advised.

Research status, hotspots and trends for information behavior in China using bibliometric and co-word analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 618-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lining Shen ◽  
Bing Xiong ◽  
Jiming Hu
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Academic Journal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Status ◽  
Bradford’S Law ◽  
Occurrence Matrix ◽  
Further Development

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the research status and outputs of information behavior in China in order to reveal its in-depth research pattern and trends. Design/methodology/approach The author collected literature during the past 29 years from China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database. Bibliometric analysis, including publication growth analysis, core authors and collaborative degree analysis, core journals analysis, and institutions distribution, was performed. The temporal visualization map of burst term was drawn, and the co-occurrence matrix of these keywords was analyzed by the hierarchical cluster analysis, strategic diagram, and social network analysis. Findings The earliest article on information behavior in China was published in 1987. And the number of articles has risen continually since then, which follows the logical growth law of literature. The collaborative degree of authors is on the rise in general. The distribution of these articles obeys the Bradford’s Law of Scattering. School of Information Management of Wuhan University remarkably ranks the top in most publications. In all, ten important research directions were identified, which are in the imbalanced development. And a newly appearing topic with great potential for further development, namely information seeking and information security, is identified. Originality/value This study provides important insights into the research status and trends on information behavior in China, which might provide a potential guide for the future research.

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