Models of Information seeking behaviour
Overview
Models of Information seeking behaviour
Models of Information seeking behaviour
Information seeking behaviour models offer valuable insights into how individuals search for and utilize information. By understanding these models, we can enhance our own information seeking practices and make more informed decisions in an increasingly complex information landscape. Information-seeking behavior pertains to the methods employed by individuals to acquire the information they require. This process involves identifying all potential sources of information and choosing the most suitable one among them. Such behavior is motivated by the user's desire to fulfill a specific objective or need. There are some of the information seeking behaviour models are described below-
6.1 Wilson’s Models of Information seeking behaviour
Information seeking behavior models are designed to analyze the ways in which users seek and search for information. The initial model was introduced by T. D. Wilson in 1981, who is often referred to as the pioneer in the field of information seeking behavior. This model aims to delineate the various aspects that users engage with during their information-seeking activities. It illustrates that information seeking behavior emerges as a response to a user's perceived information need. The process begins with the user's request for information from various sources and systems, whether formal or informal. The outcome of this seeking behavior can lead to either success or failure; if the user successfully locates the desired information, it is subsequently utilized, shared, or disseminated to others. Conversely, if the user's needs remain unmet, the search process recommences. The model emphasizes the role of interpersonal interactions in information seeking, highlighting the processes of information exchange and transfer. Wilson's model serves as a comprehensive representation of information seeking behavior, detailing how information needs develop and outlining the fundamental steps involved in the search process.
This model of information-seeking behavior is founded on two principal assertions. Firstly, it posits that the need for information is not a fundamental requirement but rather a secondary one that emerges from more basic needs. Secondly, to locate the information necessary to fulfill this need, users must confront specific obstacles. Information needs develop within individuals due to their personal situations, social roles, and the environments in which they reside. This model, developed in 1994, integrates various elements of Ellis's framework and highlights the physiological, emotional, and cognitive requirements that drive information-seeking behavior. Additionally, the factors that give rise to information needs may also serve as barriers to an individual's quest for information.
2.2 Krikelas Model
Krikelas (1983) posits that an individual identifies a need based on their surrounding environment. The person acknowledges a gap in their knowledge that necessitates resolution to address a particular issue, prompting them to seek information from various sources. These sources may include human contacts, information systems, or other resources. The outcome of this search may either be successful or unsuccessful; in the event of failure, the individual may repeat the process (Hayden n.d.). Krikelas (1983) defines information as any stimulus that alleviates uncertainty. An information need arises from the awareness of this uncertainty in the individual's personal or professional life. Furthermore, Krikelas categorizes information seeking into immediate short-term needs and long-term deferred requirements. The endeavor to fulfill a perceived need manifests as information-seeking behavior. However, Krikelas (1983) notes that unconscious needs do not always result in subsequent action.
2 Dervin’s Sense-Making Model:
Brenda Dervins‟ sense making theory developed in 1983 its not simply a model; she defines it as „a set of assumptions, a theoretic perspective, a methodological approach, a research methods and a practice designed to cope up with information perceived as, …‟a human tool designed for making sense of a reality assumed to be both chaotic and orderly.‟
The sense-making model comprises four primary components. The first element is the situation in time and space, which refers to the circumstances that give rise to the need for information. The second element, the gap, illustrates the disparity between the current contextual situation and the desired outcome. The outcome itself represents the results of the sense-making process, which aims to diminish the gap between the existing situation and the desired outcome (Wilson, 1999). Strategies serve as the means to bridge this gap. It is posited that various forms of information behavior can be viewed as sense-making strategies, which individuals employ to comprehend or maintain understanding in a chaotic environment. To bridge the gap, individuals may seek information, enabling them to adjust their internal perceptions to align more closely with what is termed 'external reality.' Alternatively, they may modify 'external reality' to better reflect their own perspectives. For example, an individual might endeavor to alter their community's perception of what is deemed 'true' or 'acceptable'; this could be pursued by a researcher proposing a new theory or by someone facing accusations. In such cases, disseminating or contesting information may represent effective information behavior. Depending on personal motivations, an individual might generate information to construct a bridge or to reduce the gap. Conversely, avoiding information could be interpreted as a method of disregarding the gap or as a means of keeping it minimal.
6.3 Ellis’sModel of Information Seeking Behaviour
Ellis's model of information-seeking behavior outlines a series of stages that users typically follow when searching for information. This model describes the methods employed by users to locate and utilize information. The stages are defined as follows: 1. Starting: This stage involves selecting sources to find the required information, which may include consulting knowledgeable individuals. 2. Chaining: This refers to the process of pursuing leads such as citations, footnotes, and bibliographies derived from initial information sources. 3. Browsing: This stage is characterized by semi-directed or semi-structured searching, which includes reviewing tables of contents, title lists, and subject headings, all of which are considered forms of basic browsing. 4. Differentiating: In this stage, users distinguish between the sources they have found based on the nature and quality of the information they provide. 5. Monitoring: This involves staying informed or conducting current awareness searches, which includes regularly checking for updates from various sources such as journals, newspapers, conferences, and magazines. 6. Extracting: This stage entails the selective identification of pertinent material within an information source, focusing on the most relevant information and extracting data that meets the user's needs. 7. Verifying: This involves assessing the accuracy of the information gathered by cross-referencing it with various sources. 8. Ending: This final stage can be described as 'tying up loose ends' through a concluding search. It signifies the completion of the information-seeking process, at which point the user feels satisfied with the information acquired. The strength of this model lies in its foundation on empirical research, having been validated through numerous studies. It is essential that the Starting stage initiates the process, while the Ending stage signifies its conclusion. Additionally, it is reasonable to assert that Verifying serves as a penultimate stage, with Extracting following specific search behaviors such as Browsing. This distinction highlights that Extracting is not of the same nature as Browsing, Chaining, or Monitoring. Furthermore, it implies that Differentiating plays a critical role in the overall process.
6.4 Kuhlthou’s Model of Information Seeking Behaviour
Kuhlthaus' model is best characterized as a phenomenological framework rather than a cognitive one. This model comprises a series of stages designed to facilitate the acquisition of necessary information, which include Initiation, Selection, Exploration, Formulation, Collection, and Presentation. The first stage, Initiation, marks the moment when an individual acknowledges the need to commence a task. During this phase, the individual often experiences significant anxiety and uncertainty, realizing their limited knowledge on the subject. The second stage, Selection, involves the user becoming somewhat aware of the area of interest or topic they wish to investigate. Although the individual feels a reduction in anxiety, uncertainty persists as the primary focus remains ambiguous. The third stage, Exploration, occurs when the user identifies a topic about which they possess some knowledge. As exploration progresses, the user's anxiety and uncertainty diminish. In the fourth stage, Formulation, the user selects a specific topic for deeper investigation and research. The subsequent stage, Collection, entails gathering relevant information through various research tools, which provides a clearer direction for the inquiry and enhances the user's confidence. The sixth stage, Presentation, involves compiling all gathered data and information into a cohesive final report that encapsulates the entire information-seeking process. Success in this stage leads to a sense of satisfaction, while failure to obtain the necessary information can result in significant disappointment. The final stage of the model, Assessment, focuses on the user's self-evaluation, fostering a sense of achievement and heightened self-awareness. The various stages of Kuhlthaus' model are illustrated through a flow diagram as follows:
5 Foster’s Non-Linear Model The continuous examination of emerging concepts and their interrelations resulted in the formation of clusters encompassing behaviors, intervening factors, and contextual elements. These concepts were categorized into three primary groups: Opening, Orientation, and Consolidation, around which further analysis was conducted to refine definitions, functions, information requirements, and the relevant contexts associated with them. The revised model of interdisciplinary information-seeking is depicted through three fundamental processes and three tiers of contextual interaction. The subsequent sections will commence with the outer layers of the diagram and progress towards the core processes of Opening, Orientation, and Consolidation, concluding with a comprehensive summary of the entire model
Johnson's Model comprises seven elements categorized into three main headings, as proposed in 1987. The primary process is depicted as flowing from left to right. The four elements classified under the antecedents are further divided into two subcategories: background factors and personal relevance. The background factors encompass demographics and personal experiences, while the personal relevance factors include salience and beliefs. The second category, Information Carrier Factors, pertains to the characteristics and utilities of the information channels chosen and utilized by seekers. The final category addresses information-seeking actions.
8. Choo’s (1998) Behavioral Model of Information-Seeking on the Web Choo et al.'s (1998) behavioral model of information-seeking on the Web should be classified as an information retrieval model. Although the title implies a focus on behavior, the model incorporates numerous elements akin to Aguillar’s (1967) modes of environmental scanning. Choo synthesized and expanded upon Aguilar’s modes and Ellis’s information-seeking behavior model to create a novel behavioral framework for information-seeking on the Web. He delineated four primary modes of information-seeking: undirected viewing, conditioned viewing, informal search, and formal search. As a hybrid model that draws from the works of Ellis (1989) and Aguillar (1967), the Behavioral Model of Information-Seeking on the Web illustrates the importance of employing diverse methods for data collection. It also holds the potential for further development or application to other information-seeking endeavors, such as information searches. Consequently, the model offers a structured approach to analyze the interplay between information needs, search strategies, and search tactics.
Leckie’s Model (1996) focuses on professionals such as engineers, doctors, and lawyers. This model comprises six interconnected factors, represented by arrows that flow downward from the top. While five of these factors are unidirectional, one is bidirectional. In this framework, the factor labeled 'work role' facilitates the execution of 'tasks.' The completion of these tasks generates an information need. The model illustrates information-seeking behavior as a bidirectional arrow marked 'information is sought.' The factor known as 'outcomes' represents the final result, linking the factors 'source of information,' 'awareness of information,' and 'information is sought' through feedback arrows.
References:
1. Garg, M. & Kurukshetra University. (2016). Information Seeking Behaviour Models: A Brief Introduction. In International Journal of Library and Information Studies (Vols. 6–1). https://www.ijlis.org/articles/information-seeking-behaviour-models-a-brief-introduction.pdf
2. Models of Information Seeking Behavior – Library Use and User Studies. (n.d.). https://ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in/lisp15/chapter/models-of-information-seeking-behavior/