Information Seeking Behaviors

1. Information Seeking Behaviors The Search for Information

2. Information Seeking • How do we look for information? • Recognizing need • Developing strategies • Choosing resources • Evaluation • Synthesis • Deciding we’re “done”

3. Models of Information Seeking • Ellis’ Model (David Ellis, 1989, 1993) • Behavior characterized by small number of activities: • Starting: activities of initial search • Chaining: following chains of citations or other forms of referential connection • Browsing: semi-directed searching in an area of potential interest • Differentiating: using differences between sources as a filter on the nature and quality of material • Monitoring: maintaining awareness of developments in a field through monitoring of particular resources • Extracting: systematically working through a particular source

4. Models of Information Seeking • Kulthau’s Model (Carol Kulthau, 2004) • Initiation- becoming aware of a lack of knowledge or understanding, characterized by uncertainty or apprehension • Selection- identifying a general area, topic, or problem; uncertainty gives way to brief sense of optimism, readiness to begin search • Exploration- inconsistent/incompatible information is found; uncertainty, confusion, and doubt increase • Formulation-focus perspective is formed; uncertainty diminishes and confidence increases • Collection- pertinent information is gathered; uncertainty subsides and interest and involvement deepen • Presentation- search is completed, new understanding gained, learning put to use

5. Nonlinear Information Seeking • Foster’s model (Allen Foster, 2004) • Three core processes and three levels of contextual interaction • Activities remain available throughout the course of seeking • Start and finish points are not fixed, processes may be repeated, relationships are concurrent, continuous, cumulative, and looped.

6. Nonlinear Information Seeking

7. Nonlinear Information Seeking • Processes: • Opening- seeking, exploring, revealing information. Includes breadth exploration- conscious expansion- and eclecticism- accepting, gathering and storing information. Networking, keyword searching, browsing, monitoring, chaining and serendipity • Orientation- Identification of direction. Problem definition (iterative and cumulative), picture building, reviewing, identifying and selecting sources and strategies. • Consolidation- judging and integrating information, deciding if further seeking is necessary. Setting and applying relevance criteria, setting search boundaries, incorporating information.

8. Nonlinear Information Seeking • Contextual Interactions: • External aspects: social and organizational time, the project, navigation issues, access to sources • Internal context: feelings and thoughts, coherence, knowledge and understanding • Cognitive approach: mode of thinking, willingness to identify and use information. Four approaches: • Flexible and adaptable • Openness • Nomadic thought • Holistic

9. Behaviors and Seeking • What are our own approaches to information seeking? • How do we understand our patrons approaches? • How does this inform reference work?