scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Journal ArticleDOI

Inside the Search Process: Information Seeking from the User's Perspective.

01 Jun 1991-Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology (John Wiley & Sons, Ltd)-Vol. 42, Iss: 5, pp 361-371
TL;DR: A model of the information search process is presented derived from a series of five studies investigating common experiences of users in information seeking situations, suggesting a gap between the users’ natural process of information use and the information system and intermediaries’ traditional patterns of information provision.
Abstract: The article discusses the users’ perspective of information seeking. A model of the information search process is presented derived from a series of five studies investigating common experiences of users in information seeking situations. The cognitive and affective aspects of the process of information seeking suggest a gap between the users’ natural process of information use and the information system and intermediaries’ traditional patterns of information provision.

Content maybe subject to copyright    Report

Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An alternative, problem‐solving model is presented, which, it is suggested, provides a basis for relating the models of information seeking and other aspects of information behaviour in appropriate research strategies.
Abstract: This paper presents an outline of models of information seeking and other aspects of information behaviour, showing the relationship between communication and information behaviour in general with information seeking and information searching in information retrieval systems. It is suggested that these models address issues at various levels of information behaviour and that they can be related by envisaging a ‘nesting’ of models. It is also suggested that, within both information seeking research and information searching research, alternative models address similar issues in related ways and that the models are complementary rather than conflicting. Finally, an alternative, problem‐solving model is presented, which, it is suggested, provides a basis for relating the models in appropriate research strategies.

1,876 citations


Cites background or methods from "Inside the Search Process: Informat..."

  • ...When we turn to information-seeking behaviour the models are rather more numerous: five will be discussed here: Wilson’s (1981) model of informationseeking behaviour [8]; Dervin’s (1983) Sense-Making theory [10]; Ellis’s (1989 and 1993) behavioural model of information seeking strategies [11, 12]; Kuhlthau’s (1991) model of the stages of information-seeking behaviour [13]; and Wilson’s (1996) model [2, 7], which expands his 1981 model through an analysis of the literature in fields other than information science....

    [...]

  • ...4 Kuhlthau, 1991 Kuhlthau’s work [13, 18] complements that of Ellis by attaching to stages of the ‘information search process’ the associated feelings, thoughts and actions, and the appropriate information tasks....

    [...]

Book
30 Jun 2005
TL;DR: This second edition of this textbook and professional reference offers a comprehensive overview of the field of KM, providing both a substantive theoretical grounding and a pragmatic approach to applying key concepts.
Abstract: The ability to manage knowledge has become increasingly important in today's knowledge economy. Knowledge is considered a valuable commodity, embedded in products and in the tacit knowledge of highly mobile individual employees. Knowledge management (KM) represents a deliberate and systematic approach to cultivating and sharing an organization's knowledge base. It is a highly multidisciplinary field that encompasses both information technology and intellectual capital. This textbook and professional reference offers a comprehensive overview of the field of KM, providing both a substantive theoretical grounding and a pragmatic approach to applying key concepts. Drawing on ideas, tools, and techniques from such disciplines as sociology, cognitive science, organizational behavior, and information science, the text describes KM theory and practice at the individual, community, and organizational levels. It offers illuminating case studies and vignettes from companies including IBM, Xerox, British Telecommunications, JP Morgan Chase, and Nokia. This second edition has been updated and revised throughout. New material has been added on the information and library science perspectives, taxonomies and knowledge classification, the media richness of the knowledge-sharing channel, e-learning, social networking in KM contexts, strategy tools, results-based outcome assessments, knowledge continuity and organizational learning models, KM job descriptions, copyleft and Creative Commons, and other topics. New case studies and vignettes have been added; and the references and glossary have been updated and expanded.

1,468 citations

Book
19 Apr 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors introduce concepts relevant to Information Behavior Models, Paradigms, and Theories in the study of Information Behavior Methods for Studying Information Behavior Research Results and Reflections.
Abstract: Abbreviated Contents Figures and Tables Preface Introduction and Examples Concepts Relevant to Information Behavior Models, Paradigms, and Theories in the Study of Information Behavior Methods for Studying Information Behavior Research Results and Reflections Appendix: Glossary Appendix: Questions for Discussion and Application References Index

1,347 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The relationships of task complexity, necessary information types, information channels, and sources are analyzed at the task level on the basis of a qualitative investigation using diaries, questionnaires, and questionnaires.
Abstract: It is nowadays generally agreed that a person's information seeking depends on his or her tasks and the problems encountered in performing them. The relationships of broad job types and information-seeking characteristics have been analyzed both conceptually and empirically, mostly through questionnaires after task performance rather than during task performance. In this article, the relationships of task complexity, necessary information types, information channels, and sources are analyzed at the task level on the basis of a qualitative investigation. Tasks were categorized in five complexity classes and information into problem information, domain information, and problem-solving information. Moreover, several classifications of information channels and sources were utilized. The data were collected in a public administration setting through diaries, which were written during task performance, and questionnaires. The findings were structured into work charts for each task and summarized in qualitative process description tables for each task complexity category. Quantitative indices further summarizing the results were also computed. The findings indicate systematic and logical relationships among task complexity, types of information, information channels, and sources.

852 citations


Cites background from "Inside the Search Process: Informat..."

  • ...a ttitude, motivation, mood) also come into play here ( Kuhlthau, 1991 )....

    [...]

  • ...(e.g. Caplan, 1984 ; Kuhlthau, 1991 ) as distinct steps in task performance....

    [...]

  • ...formation is relevant — there is less uncertainty and confusi on left ( Kuhlthau, 1991 )....

    [...]

  • ...assess information systems from their viewpoint . Kuhlthau (1991) argues convincingly that a...

    [...]

References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim of this paper is to attempt to reduce confusion by devoting attention to the definition of some concepts and by proposing the basis for a theory of the motivations for information‐seeking behaviour.
Abstract: Apart from information retrieval there is virtually no other area of information science that has occasioned as much research effort and writing as ‘user studies’. Within user studies the investigation of ‘information needs’ has been the subject of much debate and no little confusion. The aim of this paper is to attempt to reduce this confusion by devoting attention to the definition of some concepts and by proposing the basis for a theory of the motivations for information‐seeking behaviour.

1,563 citations

Book
03 Jan 1985
TL;DR: The first full-scale history of cognitive science is described in this paper, where the authors address a central issue: What is the nature of knowledge, i.e., what is knowledge?
Abstract: The first full-scale history of cognitive science, this work addresses a central issue: What is the nature of knowledge?

1,392 citations

01 Jan 1986
TL;DR: Etude de synthese sur les besoins d'information et les utilisateurs, menee a partir d'une revue de la litterature parue depuis 1978 as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Etude de synthese sur les besoins d'information et les utilisateurs, menee a partir d'une revue de la litterature parue depuis 1978. Une bibliographie de dix pages est fournie

1,221 citations


"Inside the Search Process: Informat..." refers background in this paper

  • ...In a recent survey of research on information needs and use, Dervin and Nilan found that most studies remain constrained by the system’s definition of needs with the menu of responses coming from the system’s world and not the user’s ( Dervin & Nilan, 1986 )....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Information science emerged as the third subject, along with logic and philosophy, to deal with relevance-an elusive, human notion that is traced to the problems of scientific communication.
Abstract: Information science emerged as the third subject, along with logic and philosophy, to deal with relevance-an elusive, human notion. The concern with relevance, as a key notion in information science, is traced to the problems of scientific communication. Relevance is considered as a measure of the effectiveness of a contact between a source and a destination in a communication process. The different views of relevance that emerged are interpreted and related within a framework of communication of knowledge. Different views arose because relevance was considered at a number of different points in the process of knowledge communication. It is suggested that there exists an interlocking, interplaying cycle of various systems of relevances.

868 citations


"Inside the Search Process: Informat..." refers background in this paper

  • ...As users move through levels of information need and stages in an information problem, their judgments of relevance also are likely to change, reflecting their personal knowledge of the topic and their understanding of the problem ( Saracevic, 1975 )....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In his pre-search interview with an information-seeker the reference librarian attempts to help him arrive at an understanding of his “compromised” need by determining the subject of his interest and the relationship of the inquiry to file organization.
Abstract: Seekers of information in libraries either go through a librarian intermediary or they help themselves. When they go through librarians they must develop their questions through four levels of need, referred to here as the visceral, conscious, formalized, and compromised needs. In his pre-search interview with an information-seeker the reference librarian attempts to help him arrive at an understanding of his “compromised” need by determining: (1) the subject of his interest; (2) his motivation; (3) his personal characteristics; (4) the relationship of the inquiry to file organization; and (5) anticipated answers. The author contends that research is needed into the techniques of conducting this negotiation between the user and the reference librarian.

840 citations