Information Search Process (ISP)

Information Search Process (ISP)

• The information search process is a topic in PHIN211 at Our Lady of Fatima University, College of Pharmacy

Unit Outcomes

• Upon completion, students should be able to define ISP, differentiate its theories, compare information-seeking modes, and list the advantages of electronic and non-electronic resources

Unit Outline

• Information Search Process (ISP)
• Theories of ISP
• Electronic and non-electronic resources in the search

Information Theory

• Claude Shannon developed this theory
• Communication is achieved when the message received matches the one sent

Noisy Channel

• The main problem is distortion of the message between transmitter and receiver
• To combat distortion, the message must be encoded

Carol Kuhlthau

• Carol Kuhlthau developed the ISP

Information Search Process (ISP) - Definition

• It is a six-stage model: users' holistic experience in information seeking
• It is descriptive and active, not prescriptive

Information Seeking - Relation to ISP

• Information seeking is an effort to close a perceived knowledge gap and satisfy an immediate need by searching for relevant documents

Information Need - Relation to ISP

• Information need is the recognition of a gap in one's knowledge

Information Behavior

• Information behavior encompasses active and passive actions to gain or avoid information
• It is the totality of all behaviors toward information

Information Gathering

• Information gathering is an attempt to satisfy a deferred need by searching for relevant information

Key People in Search Theories

• Robert Saxton Taylor
• Brenda Dervin
• Carol Collier Kuhlthau
• Nicholas J. Belkin
• Thomas Daniel Wilson
• Elfreda A. Chatman

Robert Saxton Taylor

• Robert Saxton Taylor(1918-2009) was an influential library scholar and information scientist.
• He served as Dean of Syracuse University School of Information Studies from 1972 to 1981
• His research focused on users of information systems and services emphasizing questions, negotiation, and frameworks

Brenda Dervin

• Brenda Dervin is a communication professor at Ohio State University and a communication/library science researcher
• Her work on information seeking and usage led to the development of the Sense-Making approach

Carol C. Kuhlthau

• Carol C. Kuhlthau was born on December 2, 1937
• She is also a retired educator, researcher, and speaker on learning in school libraries, information, and literacy

Nicholas J. Belkin

• Nicholas J. Belkin is a professor at Rutgers University's School of Communication and Information
• Belkin is known for human-centered Information Retrieval and the Anomalous State of Knowledge (ASK) hypothesis
• His research focuses on digital libraries, information-seeking behaviors, and interactions between humans and information retrieval systems

Thomas Daniel Wilson

• Wilson's best-known study on information seeking behavior was the INISS project, conducted from 1980-1985
• The project aimed to increase the efficiency of social services workers in information management
• Wilson also studied problem-solving search processes

Dr. Elfreda A. Chatman

• Dr. Elfreda A. Chatman was renowned for using ethnographic approaches to research information-seeking behaviors among understudied populations
• She developed middle-range theories, including Information Poverty, Life in Round, and Normative Behavior

Modes of Information Seeking

• "Directed" and "Undirected"
  • "Directed" = individual seeks particular information that can be specified to some degree
  • "Undirected" = individual sometimes gets information without active seeking
• "Active" and "Passive"
  • "Active" = individual actively seeks information
  • "Passive" = individual passively absorbs information without seeking it out

Information Seeking Models

• Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process Model
• Taylor’s Behavioral Model
• Wilson’s Problem-Solving
• Anomalous State of Knowledge (ASK)
• Bate’s Berrypicking Model
• Question Negotiation
• Sense Making

Information Search Process - Student Perspective

• It describes students' thoughts, actions, and feelings during a research project
• It follows a student from the project's beginning stages through its final product

Information Search Process - Thought Process

• Thoughts evolve from uncertain and vague to clearer, focused, and specific as the search progresses

Information Search Process - Emotional Component

• Feelings shift from anxiety and doubt to confidence and certainty as the search progresses

Information Search Process - Search Trajectory

• Information sought evolves from general in early stages to specific and pertinent towards closure

Information Search Process - Forming a Focus

• Formulation of a focus or a personal perspective of the topic is a pivotal point
• At that stage emotional shift from uncertain to confident, thoughts transform from vague to transparent, and interests increase

Six Stages of the ISP

• Initiating a research assignment
• Selecting a topic
• Exploring information
• Formulating a focus
• Collecting information
• Preparing to present
• Assessing the process

Stage 1 - Initiating a Research Assignment

• Awareness of a lack of knowledge or information need
• Feelings of apprehension and uncertainty

Stage 2 - Selecting a Topic

• Identifying a general topic of interest
• Considering potential topics, class requirements, information availability, and time
• Feelings of brief elation and anticipation

Stage 3 - Exploring Information

• Beginning to search for information and investigating initial searches
• Seeking to connect and make sense of findings
• Feelings of confusion, frustration, doubt, and uncertainty

Stage 4 - Formulating a Focus

• Using preliminary information to develop a specific topic or thesis
• Identifying and selecting sources for a focused topic
• Feelings of optimism and confidence in completing the task

Stage 5 - Collecting Information

• Gathering data to support an established focus
• Collecting details relevant to the specific topic or thesis
• Feelings of direction, confidence, and increased interest

Stage 6 - Preparing to Present

• Culmination of the project
• Filling in last information gaps
• Using gathered data to complete the assignment

Electronic vs Non-electronic resources

• Every stage of the ISP, one can use challenges available to address them

Evaluating Sources

• Evaluating sources is an important component of any research

Advantages of Electronic Resources

• Access: Remote, 24-hour, quick, and wider
• Availability: No need to worry about a source being checked out; no limit on what you can take out
• Search Capability
• Links to additional information

Advantages of Print Resources

• Physical browsing and ability to touch a real book
• Getting immediate help from a "real" person
• Getting more detailed information
• Access to archival and

Disadvantages of Electronic Resources

• Interface design problems
• Hard to ask for immediate help (lack of a "real" librarian; impersonal)
• Instability of online resources
• Time-consuming, e.g., travel time and parking
• Instability of online resources

Disadvantages of Print Resources

• Time-consuming, e.g., travel time and parking
• Inconvenience, e.g., open hours and closed during holidays
• Availability, e.g., items checked out or not on the shelf
• Need equipment and Internet access (Financial burden to users)
• Discomfort with online reading
• Credibility and quality issues
• Technical problems
• Easier to print at home than copy at libraries
• Annoying patrons
• Library policy issues

Common Electronic Resources (Apps)

• CDC Vaccine
• Chain Pharmacy
• App Clinical
• Pharmacology
• Epocrates
• Google
• Lexicomp
• Medical Spanish
• Medline Plus
• Medscape
• Micromedex
• Pharmacist's
• Letter Shots
• WebMD