Investigating relations of information seeking outcomes to the selection and use of information sources (original) (raw)

Source selection among information seekers: Ideals and realities

Canadian journal of information and library …, 2000

In a study examining the information behavior of 9 individuals over 10 weeks in daily life contexts, participants were asked to identify ideal sources of help for the questions and issues they faced. The data show how people' s expectation of the usefulness of information sources varies by the information seeker' s gender, and source characteristics such as accessibility, trustworthiness, and reliability. Usefulness of sources has both cognitive and affective aspects.

Seeking Information in Online Environments — Where, Who, and Why?

2015

Given the ubiquity of social media and Web 2.0 resources, there is a current lack of knowledge about the complementary aspects of individualized and social search strategies. This paper looks at the information resource preferences of users, focusing on online resources. Two exploratory studies were done to analyze the motivations behind online information seeking behavior, specifically looking at where people go for information and reasons behind that decision. The first study collected log data from users who used the Web for browsing and searching information, and also asked questions on Q&A sites. The second study used a survey with four different scenarios that asked respondents to rank different information resources. The findings from these studies provide a more comprehensive understanding of how and why people choose to use an information resource/method depending on their information needs.

Three conceptions of information seeking and use

Exploring the contexts of information behaviour, 1999

This paper presents and discusses some major findings of a research project investigating the interaction between information seeking and learning outcomes. A group of 25 high school seniors engaged in a learning assignment were followed during the whole learning process including students' information seeking and use. Each student was interviewed three times about his/her way of experiencing information seeking as well as subject matter. Interview protocols were subjected to phenomenographic analysis. Three categories of students' conceptions of information seeking and use based on five aspects were identified. Three categories of students' conceptions of subject matter were identified based on the variation of learning outcome. There was great overlap between conceptions of information seeking and learning outcomes. Conclusions drawn are that variation in experiencing information seeking interacts closely with variation in ways of exp eriencing or understanding the content of information. The results provided a deeper understanding of information seeking and use through the description of variation. The findings may provide a foundation for further research on the variation of information seeking as well as a basis for didactic development of information skills instruction.

Information seeking behaviour : a conceptual framework

South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 2013

The concepts defining information, information needs, information seeking and information use have undergone significant evolution since they were first introduced. A number of information seeking and retrieval studies seem to focus on these concepts, albeit in different ways. It is widely understood that concepts form the basis for describing and explaining phenomena and processes in a field of study. Within the field of Information Science, many of the concepts used need to be understood in terms of research context, as a variety of meanings can be attached to most concepts. The article specifically aims to review major studies (e.g.

An Overview of Users Information Seeking Behaviour on Online Resources

This paper discuses online information seeking behavior of students for sustainable education among students of higher learning institutions. Online information seeking behavior is a relatively new phenomenon. However, it is the active process of obtaining data from the Web. Libraries and Universities are continuously adapting and seeking effective ways to respond to the fundamental and interconnected missions of research, teaching and community service, and that is why some have embraced the use of the Internet in service delivery. On the other hand, this study is more concerned with maximizing usage of this resource by students in fulfilling their primary aim of research and reaching out to these resources on the Internet using the requisite navigational skills. The paper says the Internet offers widespread access to electronic resources and also has the advantages of interactivity, and information tailoring. It also agrees that access is inequitable and use is hindered by navigational challenges due to numerous factors e.g. disorganization, technical language and lack of permanence. Meager information evaluation skills add to students' vulnerability. The paper highlights some information seeking models to assist students in their search for information on the Internet. Also it highlights the role of the library in the information seeking process of students. The paper concludes that though Information and communication technologies are being put in place for use by students, they must possess the requisite skill to use them appropriately.

An Analytical study of Information seeking behaviour models

2021

The study explores analysis of information needs and information-seeking behaviour models. The methodology includes a study of various information behaviour models selected randomly, a systematic review of the subject literature, types of models and the exploration of relevant qualitative research methods. The paper shows how the different factors influence the information needs of user groups. Different viewers' opinions on various models have been analyzed and at the same time the testing groups of each model have also been identified. The study concludes that each model represents a different but also an overlapping or similar approach to information-seeking behaviour research. The study on conceptual analysis of 24 different types of model, models name, year and types related information behaviour, studies examining the above issue, with a focus on the scrutiny of six major models for information behavior.

A study of information seeking and retrieving. I. Background and methodology

Readings in information …, 1997

The objectives of the study were to conduct a series of observations and experiments under as real-life a situation as possible related to: (i) user context of questions in information retrieval; (ii) the structure and classification of questions; (iii) cognitive traits and decision making of searchers; and (iv) different searches of the same question. The study is presented in three parts: Part I presents the background ot the study and describes the models, measures, methods, procedures, and statistical analyses used. Part II is devoted to results related to users, questions, and effectiveness measures, and Part III to results related to searchers, searches, and overlap studies. A concluding summary of all results is presented in Part III.