Information Seeking Behaviour Model
Overview
The Information Seeking Behavior (ISB) module explores how individuals seek, collect, and utilize information to fulfill their needs. It is an interdisciplinary field of study that incorporates the concepts from information science, psychology, sociology, and communication studies.
Information Seeking Behaviour Model
Information Seeking Behaviour Model
Introduction
Information Seeking Behaviour (ISB) means the process of seeking and acquiring information by an individual. It is about the action of searching, retrieving, and using information to serve a need or solve problems. Understanding how people find, use, and judge information is vital in areas that include library science, information science, marketing, education, and healthcare. This research paper discusses some of the major Information Seeking Behaviour models with insights into why and how people interact with information at different levels.
Objectives
- To understand the concept of Information Seeking Behaviour (ISB).
- To discuss the key models of ISB.
- To analyse what influences the information-seeking processes.
-To examine practical implications of these models on real-world scenarios.
Information Seeking Behaviour
Definition:
An information-seeking behaviour model is a theoretical construct that describes how one comes to know and find as well as utilize information. The models explain how, as part of a very dynamic and iterative process, searching for information is impacted upon by cognitive, social and contextual factors.
Key Models of Information Seeking Behaviour:
There are several models that explain how individuals seek information. Below are a few prominent models:
- Kuhlthau’s Model (ISP) (1991)
Kuhlthau's Information Search Process is among the most influential models of Information Seeking Behaviour. The model describes the cognitive and emotional stages of the information search process. Kuhlthau suggested that the information search process is composed of different stages, with emotional and cognitive states affecting the information seeker.
Stage 1: Initiation- The person becomes conscious of a lack of information or uncertainty. This is characterized by anxiety.
Stage 2: Selection– The researcher chooses a general focus and selects a method for conducting research. At this point, hopefulness starts to develop.
Stage 3: Exploration: The person looks for information, but most of the time, it is ambiguous and frustrating due to unclear situations. The emotional state could be ambiguous or indefinite.
Stage 4: Formulation: The information searcher clarifies his needs to know what he is really looking for and narrows his information to specifics. His confidence increases.
Stage 5: Collection – At this stage, the individual collects relevant information and uses their findings. The person feels satisfied and relieved.
Stage 6: Presentation – The information synthesized and communicated for a purpose. The seeker feels fulfilled.
This is also noteworthy in Kuhlthau's model since it recognized the emotional states related to information seeking, which marked a departure from earlier models, which were mainly cognitive or behavioural.
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- Dervin’s Model (SMM) (1992):
Another influential model is Dervin's Sense-Making Methodology (SMM), which puts emphasis on understanding how individuals make sense of information in the course of their search.
Key concepts:
Knowledge gaps: Gaps are points of uncertainty or confusion in the subject matter that lead to the search for information.
Bridge: The information or insight that helps to reduce or eliminate these gaps.
Context: The circumstances and surroundings within which the individual operates are a factor in shaping the individual's information-seeking behaviour.
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C. Savolainen’s ELIS Model (1995):
The ELIS (Everyday Life Information Seeking) model, developed by Savolainen, focuses on how people seek information for use in their ordinary daily lives, outside of formal and professional contexts.
Key Elements:
. Information Need: The individual has a need for information, which can be driven by curiosity, problem-solving, or social interaction.
2. Information Seeking: People employ various strategies such as active search (for example, the internet), passive seeking (for example, overhearing), social interaction (for example, asking others), and environmental cues (for example, observing surroundings).
3. Sources of information: Formal sources (for example, libraries) and informal sources (for example, family, social media).
4. Information Use: Individuals use the information for problem solving, decision-making or simply to satisfy their interest.
5. Satisfaction: The individual assesses whether the information satisfied his or her needs, which then determines their satisfaction.
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D. Wilson’s Model (1996):
Wilson proposed an elaborate model that classifies information seeking behaviour into several types such as active and passive searching. His model emphasizes that the influences of information-seeking behaviour are based on either internal or external factors.
Information need: The initiation point for the process that can result from a cognitive, emotional, or social need of a person.
Information seeking: Actively seek information using different sources: Internet, libraries, or other experts.
Information Use: The application of the information to meet the need or solve the problem.
Influencing Factors: These can be personal characteristics, social norms, or environmental influences.
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Conclusion
Models of information-seeking behaviour offer crucial insights into how people find, assess, and use information that they need. These models provide helpful frameworks for strengthening information retrieval systems, increasing user experience, and optimising research methodologies, whether it is via analysing the user's background, identifying the behaviours involved, or comprehending the emotional components of the process. The implementation of these models will continue to influence the creation of more efficient and user-friendly information systems as technology advances and the amount of information makes its way online.
References
1. Kuhlthau, C. C. (1991). Information Search Process: A Summary of Research and Implications for Library Instruction. Journal of Documentation, 47(3), 207-231.
2. Dervin, B. (1992). From the Mind’s Eye of the User: The Sense-Making Qualitative-Quantitative Methodology. In J. D. Glazier & R. R. Powell (Eds.), Qualitative Research in Information Management (pp. 61–84). Libraries Unlimited.
3. Wilson, T. D. (1996). Information Behaviour: An Interdisciplinary Perspective. Information Science, 1(1), 49-55.
4. Savolainen,R.(1995).Everyday Life Information Seeking: Approaching information seeking in the context of way of life. Library and Information Science Reaserch,17((3),259-294.