Information Seeking Behaviour Model
Overview
Information seeking behaviour models are frameworks that describe how people find information to meet their needs.
Information Seeking Behaviour Model
Information Seeking Behaviour Model
Introduction : Information can be understood as data that has been processed, contributing to decision-making, enhancing our understanding, sharpening our cognitive abilities, and ultimately elevating the societal standing of a nation. Information-seeking behavior pertains to the exploration of techniques and approaches utilized by an individual or how one traverses diverse resources to fulfill their information needs.
What is Information seeking behaviour model.
The concept of Information Seeking Behaviour within the realm of Information Science can be broadly articulated as the actions undertaken and channels utilized by an individual upon recognizing their information requirements and the following application of the acquired information. Some of the major models are: wilson’s Model of information seeking behavior, Dervin’s sense making theory, Ellis’s behavior model of information.
1. Wilson’s model of information seeking behavior
Fig :1. Wilson’s Model of Information seeking behavior (1981)
Models of information-seeking behavior are specifically focused on the searching and seeking habits of users. This pioneering model, introduced by T. D. Wilson—often hailed as the father of information-seeking behavior—in 1981, delineates the various domains that a user navigates during the information search process. It distinctly illustrates that the behavior of seeking information emerges from a user's perceived need for information. The quest for information initiates with the user’s engagement with a range of information sources and systems—whether formal or informal. This pursuit culminates in one of two outcomes: success or failure. If the user successfully retrieves the information, it is then utilized, shared, and disseminated among others; however, if the search yields no satisfactory results, the process of seeking recommences. The model emphasizes the role of other individuals in the seeking process via mechanisms of information exchange and transfer. Wilson's model can be characterized as a comprehensive representation of information-seeking behavior, illustrating how an information need manifests and outlining the straightforward steps taken to locate it.
Wilson’s Second Model of Information Seeking Behavior:
Fig. 2. Wilson’s Model of Information seeking behavior (1994).
This model of information-seeking behavior is grounded in two primary propositions: first, that the need for information is not an essential need, but a derivative one that emerges from more fundamental requirements; and second, that to locate the information necessary to fulfill that need, the user must confront specific obstacles. Information needs develop within users due to personal situations, social roles, and the environment in which they exist. This framework was developed in 1994, integrating various aspects of Ellis’ model. It also highlighted the physiological, emotional, and cognitive requirements that stimulate information-seeking behavior. The elements that contribute to the emergence of information needs can simultaneously present as obstacles to an individual's search for information.
2. Ellis’sModel of Information Seeking Behaviour
Ellis presented characteristics of information-seeking behaviors rather than stages. By using the term ‘staging,’ he suggests that these behaviors don’t necessarily unfold in a linear fashion; rather, the specific conditions surrounding the information-seeking endeavors of the seeker at any given moment shape the resulting pattern (Ellis 1989). These characteristics include:
• Initiating: this signifies the commencement of information
• Linking: Utilizing references as bridges between diverse materials to pinpoint appropriate information sources.
• Exploring: semi-guided or semi-structured searching
• Differentiating: Identifying the information sources based on their relevance
• Tracking: Employing various sources to stay updated or engaged in current awareness searching
• Selecting: explicitly pinpointing and extracting the pertinent material from an information source
• Validating: Examining the correctness of the acquired information
• Concluding: Wrapping up by resolving any outstanding issues through a final search.
3. Kuhlthou’s Model:
The Kuhlthau model enhances Ellis's framework by linking specific stages of the information-seeking process with the related emotions, cognitions, and behaviors, as well as the suitable information tasks. This connection between emotions, cognitions, and behaviors distinctly showcases Kuhlthau’s viewpoint as experiential rather than purely intellectual.
. The stages of information seeking behavior as per kuhlthou’s model are:
1. Initiation
2. Selection
3. Exploration
4. Formulation
5. Collection
6. Presentation
Commencement: An individual realizes a gap in knowledge or comprehension, leading to prevalent feelings of uncertainty and apprehension.
Selection: A broad subject, theme, or challenge is pinpointed, with initial uncertainty often shifting to a fleeting sense of hope and a willingness to embark on the quest.
Investigation: Encountering conflicting, contradictory information, uncertainty, confusion, and skepticism often escalate.
Development: A concentrated viewpoint emerges, coupled with an increase in confidence as uncertainty begins to diminish.
Gathering: Relevant information related to the focused perspective is compiled, with uncertainty fading as engagement and enthusiasm for the endeavor intensify.
Conclusion: The inquiry reaches its end with a newfound understanding that empowers the individual to articulate their insights to others or apply what they’ve learned in some manner.
Users engage in the information retrieval process in a comprehensive manner, influenced by a blend of thoughts, emotions, and actions. According to his framework, the information-seeking journey from the users’ viewpoint can be envisioned as a series of decisions influenced by four primary factors: task, time, interest, and availability. During this pursuit of information, the user is focused on the task at hand, the time constraints, personal curiosity, and the extent of time available. This process of searching is described as an uncertainty principle in the realm of library and information services. Uncertainty manifests as a cognitive state that often leads to emotional symptoms like anxiety and diminished self-assurance. For instance, the initial phase of this process is marked by feelings of ambiguity, vague and broad contemplations regarding the problem area, and is linked with the pursuit of foundational information. The user tries to acknowledge a need for information. Furthermore, their task involves pinpointing and refining the general subject of the search; exploring or looking for information related to that general subject; developing and concentrating on a more specific aspect within the subject; gathering relevant data on the focused area; and ultimately concluding the information search.
4. Dervin’ model
Dervin’s sense-making theory has evolved over many years and should not be viewed merely as a model for information-seeking behavior. Dervin defines it as a collection of assumptions, a theoretical lens, a methodological framework, a set of research techniques, and a practice oriented towards understanding information perceived as... a human instrument crafted to interpret a reality thought to be both chaotic and systematic. Dervin was one of the pioneering scholars to articulate the sense-making approach and apply it to the requirements of the ordinary individual. His methodology encompassed a series of conceptual foundations and corresponding methodologies for evaluating how people interpret their environments and how they utilize resources for addressing challenges.
Nevertheless, sense-making is operationalized through four interconnected elements: a context in time and space, which highlights the disparities between the current context and the desired state; an outcome, representing the results of the sense-making process; and a bridge, serving as a mechanism to connect the current situation, a gap bridged, and the outcome. Dervin has illustrated these elements in the form of a triangle: context, Gap/Bridge, and outcome.
In context to information usage, it can foster an inquiry approach that can uncover the characteristics of a problematic scenario, the degree to which information services can alleviate uncertainty, confusion, or any related issues, as well as the nature of the results stemming from information utilization.
Conclusion:
The frameworks surrounding information behavior concentrate on the subtle processes occurring in the everyday experiences of individuals within specific contexts and social environments that might shape users' information conduct. The frameworks established by Ellis and Kuhlthau emphasize the various tasks involved in the information-seeking journey. Dervin's Sense-making model and Cheuk Wai-Yi's Information seeking and utilizing process framework facilitate the examination of how individuals comprehend and address cognitive gaps to interpret their surroundings. Grasping the sense-making process is highly pertinent to investigating the information behavior of consulting engineers as they strive to acquire pertinent information that may aid in resolving issues.