Information seeking behaviour

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Information seeking behaviour

• Professor T.D. Wilson
• Professor Emeritus, University of Sheffield

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Introduction

• models of information seeking behaviour
• testing the models
• use of Web-based resources
• a case study of Information Research
• conclusions

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Models of information seeking

• the early years of user studies research
• the switch from studies of library and document
  use to user behaviour
• an early model of information behaviour

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Information behaviour - 1981
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Information seeking behaviour 1981
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Elliss characteristics - 1989

• Starting
• Chaining
• Browsing
• Differentiating

• Monitoring
• Extraction
• Verifying
• Ending

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Kuhlthaus stages - 1993

• Task initiation
• Topic selection
• Pre-focus exploration
• Focus formulation
• Information collection
• Search closure

• apprehension
• confusion
• confusion, doubt
• optimism
• confidence
• relief

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Testing the models

• the Uncertainty project was designed to explore
  the concept of uncertainty in information seeking
  behaviour, but also to examine the relationships
  among the various models.

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Revised 1981 model
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Problem solving framework
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Example of findings - 1
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Example of findings - 2
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Conclusions from the study

• the problem-solving model usefully discriminated
  among researchers
• the three models Wilson, Ellis, Kuhlthau appear
  not to overlap in their application they are
  not modelling the same thing
• the affective dimension appears to reduce to
  positive vs. negative feelings

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Using Web-based systems

• studies generally relate to the use of search
  engines, showing that the great majority of
  enquiries consist of only one or two terms.
• studies of specific resources that might be
  called digital libraries are much rarer.

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Use of an electronic journal

• Information Research now in Volume 8, first
  published in 1995
• The counter service allows one to track users
  back to the site from which they clicked on the
  link to the top page of the journal

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Hits on Information Research
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Hits on Information Research
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Implications for digital libraries

• fitting systems to the complex behaviour of
  information users is necessary if DLs are to be
  successful
• the problem solving model suggests that different
  kinds of searching are taking place at the
  different stages
• Kuhlthaus stage model may be applied to each
  problem-solving stage

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Implications for digital libraries

• Elliss characteristics describe a common set
  of activities taking place within the overall
  search process systems should model that set of
  activities.
• locating the DL within the context of the Web is
  essential for stimulating use.