Information seeking behaviour models
Overview
Information seeking behavior basically refers to the strategies and measures undertaken to locate the distinct knowledge essentials. Information seeking behavior models are frameworks that describe how people find information to meet their needs.
Information seeking behaviour models
Information is an essential asset required by people in various aspects of life. It can be described as data that has been organized and interpreted, aiding in making choices, enhancing our understanding, boosting our cognitive abilities, and ultimately transforming the social landscape of a country. The study of information-seeking behaviour focuses on how individuals search for and utilize different resources to fulfil their information needs. Understanding this behaviour is important for libraries, with the primary goal being to effectively meet users' information demands. It remains an active area of study within library and information science.
Here, some models are discussed:
Wilson’s model (1981, 1996)
This is the first model created in 1981 by T. D. Wilson, known as the father of information-seeking behaviour, to describe the different stages that users go through when searching for information. The aim of Wilson’s 1981 model is to outline the various areas covered by what he proposed as ‘information-seeking behaviour’ as an alternative to ‘information needs. This clearly demonstrates that search results are based on the information the user sees. Information seeking behaviour begins with a user's interest in information and various systems (formal or informal). This search behaviour may succeed or fail; if the user successfully obtains the information, the information is used, modified or transferred to others; if the results do not meet the requirements, the search is restarted. This model focuses on the involvement of others in the knowledge-seeking process through communication and communication.
This information seeking behaviour model is based on two main propositions first, that information need is not a primary need, but a secondary need that arises from a need of more basic kind and second in order to find information to satisfy that need the user have to face certain barriers. Wilson identifies three major types of barriers in the context of an information need: personal circumstances, social role and environmental.
While the basic principle and focus remained the same, Wilson developed a new human information behaviour model in 1996 that suggests that information-seeking behaviour is goal directed with the resolution of the problem, and possibly the presentation of the solution, as the goal. In moving through each of the stages of problem identification, problem definition, problem resolution and solution presentation, uncertainty must be reduced through the interactions of the users with the information sources.
Dervin’s model (1983)
Sense making approach is given by Dervin in 1983. The context for the information need, she calls a Situation. People find a gap what they need to know and what they understand. Thus, according to the sense-making approach, human information behaviour is implemented in terms of four constituent elements:
- a situation in time and space, which defines the context for the information need arises in information problem
- a gap, which identifies the difference between the contextual situation and the desired situation
- an outcome, which is the consequence of the sense-making process
- a bridge that is the means of closing the gap between the situation and the outcome.
Dervin’s Sense-Making Theory focuses on how individuals make sense of the world around them, particularly in the context of information gaps. She emphasizes how people actively work to "bridge" gaps in understanding or knowledge.
Ellis’s model (1989)
Information seeking behavioural model developed by David Ellis in 1989. Ellis's model identifies six key behaviours that people exhibit when seeking information. These behaviours were observed through interviews with academic researchers and are considered typical of how people engage with information.
- Starting: The initial phase where individuals begin seeking information their information need
- Chaining: Using links bibliographies, references or citations to find further sources.
- Browsing: Searching undirected or semi-structured searching for information considered as simple browsing.
- Differentiating: different on the basis of nature and quality of information available in the sources.
- Monitoring: Keeping track of ongoing developments or updates related to users’ interest.
- Extracting: Selecting specific, relevant information from various sources.
- Verifying: Confirming the accuracy of the information found.
- Ending: Concluding the final search to complete process.
Kuhlthau’s model
Kuhlthau developed information search process (ISP) model in 1991. She views information seeking as a process of construction in which users progress from uncertainty to understanding. She proposes that there is a six stages process:
- Stage 1: Initiation: when a person realizes the lack of knowledge, feels uncertainty for need information.
- Stage 2: Selection: people begin to choose their topic or idea, often still feeling uncertain.
- Stage 3: Exploration: The person starts searching and engaging with different sources, experiencing confusion, uncertainty as they encounter new information.
- Stage 4: Formulation: A focused perspective is formed and uncertainly diminishes as confidence begins to increase focus for their research.
- Stage 5: Collection: The individual gathers and processes relevant information and uncertainly subsides.
- Stage 6: Presentation: The information is organized and presented, often culminating in a report, paper, or decision.
These models provide valuable insights into the processes and factors involved in information seeking, helping to design better information systems and services tailored to meet users' diverse needs.