Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs, and Behavior / Edition 4

by Donald O. Case, Lisa M. Given

Overview

The 4th edition of this popular and well-cited text is now co-authored, and includes significant changes from earlier texts. Presenting a comprehensive review of over a century of research on information behavior (IB), this book is intended for students in information studies and disciplines interested in research on information activities. The initial two chapters introduce IB as a multi-disciplinary topic, the 3rd provides a brief history of research on information seeking. Chapter four discusses what is meant by the terms "information" and "knowledge. "Chapter five discusses "information needs," and how they are addressed. The 6th chapter identifies many related concepts. Twelve models of information behavior (expanded from earlier editions) are illustrated in chapter seven. Chapter eight reviews various paradigms and theories informing IB research. Chapter nine examines research methods invoked in IB studies and a discussion of qualitative and mixed approaches. The 10th chapter gives examples of IB studies by context. The final chapter looks at strengths and weaknesses, recent trends, and future development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785609688
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Publication date:	04/29/2016
Series:	Studies in Information
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	528
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.80(d)

About the Author

Donald O. Case, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA Lisa M. Given, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia

Table of Contents

List of Figures and Tables xi

Editorial Advisory Board xiii

Preface xv

Part 1 Introduction, Typical Scenarios, and History of Research

1 Information Behavior: An Introduction 3

1.1 Introduction 3

1.1.1 A Bit of Vocabulary 5

1.1.2 Emphasizing People Rather than Systems 7

1.1.3 Ten Myths about Information and Information Seeking 10

1.1.4 When, Why, and Where Information Behavior Has Been Studied 12

1.1.5 The Contexts in Which Information Behavior Is Investigated 14

1.1.6 The Scope of "Information Behavior" 15

1.2 How This Book Is Organized, and How to Use It 16

1.2.1 Organization of the Book 16

1.2.2 Which Chapters to Read If… 18

2 The Complex Nature oflnformation Behavior 19

2.1 Five Information Seeking Scenarios 20

2.1.1 Buying Products 20

2.1.2 Finding Information in a Library 23

2.1.3 Voting on a Political Issue 28

2.1.4 Healing a Patient 30

2.1.5 Curiosity: "I Want to Know More about Cancer" 33

2.2 Summary 36

Recommended for Further Reading 39

3 The History and Focus of Information Behavior Research 41

3.1 The History of Studying Information Behavior 41

3.1.1 Origins of the Research Genre 41

3.1.2 Reviews of IB Literature 43

3.1.3 The Categories and Contexts of IB Studies 45

3.1.4 Choosing Examples of Studies 49

3.2 Summary 50

Recommended for Further Reading 51

Part 2 Concepts Relevant to Information Behavior

4 The Concept of Information 55

4.3 Searching for a Definition of Information 56

4.1.1 Explaining "Information" 57

4.1.2 The Concept of Information 58

4.1.3 Typologies of Information Concepts 59

4.2 A Source of Much Confusion: "Information Theory" 60

4.3 Five Issues in Defining Information 63

4.3.1 Must Information Be Useful? 63

4.3.2 Does Information Require Intentions? 65

4.3.3 Must Information Be True? 66

4.3.4 Must Information Be Physical? 67

4.3.5 Does Information Require a Structure or Process? 68

4.4 Must There Be a Universal Definition of Information? 71

4.5 Distinctions among Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom 74

4.6 Summary 75

Recommended for Further Reading 77

5 Information Needs, Motivations, and Use 79

5.1 The Motivational Puzzle 79

5.1.1 What Is a "Need"? 80

5.1.2 Needs versus Demands 82

5.2 Four Scholars Ponder Motivations 83

5.2.1 Seeking Answers 83

5.2.2 Reducing Uncertainty 84

5.2.3 Making Sense 86

5.2.4 The Spectrum of Motivations 87

5.3 The Trouble with Information Needs 89

5.4 Information Seeking 91

5.5 The Use of Information 93

5.6 Summary 94

Recommended for Further Reading 96

Related Concepts 97

6.1 Learning 98

6.1.1 Information Literacy 98

6.1.2 Information Practice 99

6.2 Decision Making 100

6.2.1 Making Decisions 101

6.2.2 Solving Problems 103

6.3 Unintended or Unstructured Searching 104

6.3.1 Browsing, Scanning, Encountering, and Serendipity 105

6.3.2 Additional Distinctions 107

6.4 Identifying Relevant Information 110

6.4.1 Relevance 110

6.4.2 Relevance and Pertinence in Information Retrieval 111

6.4.3 Salience 113

6.5 Information Selection 114

6.5.1 Selective Exposure 115

6.5.2 Emotion and Affect 116

6.5.3 Information Avoidance 117

6.5.4 Knowledge Gaps and Information Poverty 119

6.5.5 Information Overload and Anxiety 122

6.6 Information versus Entertainment 127

6.7 Sharing and Collaboration 134

6.8 Summary 135

Recommended for Further Reading 136

Part 3 Models and Theories of Information Behavior

7 Models of Information Behavior 141

7.1 Models 142

7.1.1 What Is a Model? 142

7.1.2 Models of Information Seeking 144

7.2 Examples of Information Seeking Models 148

7.2.1 The Krikelas Model 148

7.2.2 The Ellis Model 151

7.2.3 The Kuhlthau Model 152

7.2.4 The Bystrom and Järvelin Model 154

7.2.5 The Savolainen Model 155

7.2.6 The Johnson Model 157

7.2.7 The Williamson Model 161

7.2.8 The Wilson Model 162

7.2.9 The Foster Model 164

7.2.10 The Shenton and Hay-Gibson Model 165

7.2.11 The Robson and Robinson Model 167

7.2.12 The Freund Model 170

7.2.13 Reviewing the Models 171

7.2.14 Additional Models 173

Recommended for Further Reading 175

8 Metatheories, Theories, and Paradigms 177

8.1 Metatheories, Perspectives, and Paradigms 178

8.1.1 Metatheories 178

8.1.2 The Research Spectrum and the Great Divide 179

8.1.3 Perspectives and Paradigms 181

8.2 Theories 183

8.2.1 What Is a Theory? 183

8.2.2 Levels of Theory 185

8.3 Sources of Theory in Information Behavior 187

8.4 Objectivist Paradigms 190

8.4.1 Zipfs Principle of Least Effort and Cost-Benefit 190

8.4.2 Uses and Gratifications 194

8.4.3 Uncertainty Management Theory, etc. 199

8.4.4 Other Objectivist Theories 200

8.5 Interpretivist Paradigms 202

8.5.1 Constructivism, Activity Theory, and Sense Making 203

8.5.2 Social Constructionism. Practice Theory, and Discourse Analysis 206

8.5.3 Phenomenology and Other Social Approaches 208

8.5.4 Other Interpretivist Paradigms 209

8.6 Mapping the Theoretical Influences on Authors 211

8.7 Summary 213

Recommended for Further Reading 214

Part 4 Research Designs and Methods for Studying IB

9 Research Design, Methodology, and Methods 217

9.1 Relating Theory to Research Design 218

9.1.1 Why We Need Sound Research Design 219

9.1.2 Methodologies and Methods 220

9.2 Basic Considerations in Research Design 222

9.2.1 Stages of Research 222

9.2.2 Inductive (Qualitative) and Deductive (Quantitative) Designs 225

9.2.3 Rigor and Trustworthiness 226

9.2.4 Purpose, Units, and Time 229

9.2.5 Ethics in Research 231

9.3 Examples of Methods 235

9.3.1 Survey Methods: Questionnaires, Interviews, Focus Groups, and Diaries 236

9.3.2 Experimental Methods: Lab-Based and Field Experiments 250

9.3.3 Textual Methods: Discourse Analysis, Historical Analysis, and Content Analysis 257

9.3.4 Visual Methods: Observation and Visual Analysis 264

9.3.5 Studies Using Multi-Methods 266

9.3.6 Meta-Analysis and Systematic Reviews 268

9.4 Summary 270

Recommended for Further Reading 272

Part 5 Reviewing and Critiquing Research

10 Research by Roles and Contexts 277

10.1 Occupations as Roles 278

10.1.1 Scientists and Engineers 279

10.1.2 Social Scientists 287

10.1.3 Humanities Scholars 291

10.1.4 Physicians, Nurses, and Other Health Care Providers 295

10.1.5 Managers 304

10.1.6 Journalists 308

10.1.7 Lawyers 312

10.1.8 Farmers 314

10.1.9 Artists 315

10.1.10 Other Occupations 317

10.2 Other Roles 319

10.2.1 Citizens, Voters, and the Public at Large 320

10.2.2 Consumers 327

10.2.3 Hobbyists 330

10.2.4 Gatekeepers 333

10.2.5 Patients 335

10.2.6 Students 341

10.2.7 Immigrants 343

10.2.8 Other Roles 345

10.3 Summary 345

Recommended for Further Reading 346

11 Reviewing, Critiquing, Concluding 349

11.1 Reviewing 349

11.2 Critiquing 351

11.2.1 A History of Criticisms 351

11.2.2 Changes in Methodology, Theory, and Impact 354

11.3 Conclusions and Trends 359

11.3.1 Ten New Lessons of Information Behavior Research 361

11.3.2 Trends and Final Thoughts 364

Recommended for Further Reading 365

Appendix A Glossary 367

Appendix B Questions for Discussion and Application 377

References 389

Author Index 475

Subject Index 497