Library Use: Information Seeking Behavior

The initial stage of information seeking, where the user recognizes the need for information and begins the process of seeking it.

The step in the information seeking process where the user explores different information sources and strategies.

The stage where the user narrows down their search by choosing the most relevant information sources.

The stage where the user develops a clearer understanding of their information need and formulates specific questions or topics.

The stage where the user gathers relevant information from the chosen sources.

The final stage of information seeking, where the user organizes and effectively presents the gathered information.

A model that focuses on the stages involved in information seeking, emphasizing the user's feelings and experiences.

A model that analyses information seeking behavior by breaking it down into specific actions or behaviors.

A personal approach to information seeking where an individual actively tries to change their environment to better align with their own beliefs or understanding.

This stage involves narrowing down and selecting relevant information sources based on their quality and relevance.

A stage where a person seeks out information to bridge a gap in their understanding or knowledge.

This encompasses actively seeking out new information from various sources to remain informed and keep up with the latest developments.

A form of information seeking where a person explores information sources in a less structured, more exploratory manner.

This involves the initial steps of information seeking, such as choosing sources and asking for information.

This stage involves tracking down information sources and leads found in the initial information sources.

This step involves summarizing and extracting the most crucial and relevant information from the selected sources.

The initial stage where the user vaguely senses a need for information without a clear topic in mind.

The user starts to identify a general area of interest, but feels uncertain and anxious about the specifics.

The user explores the chosen topic, gaining a basic understanding and reducing anxiety.

The user focuses on a particular problem or question within the overarching topic.

The user actively collects relevant data and information, resulting in a clearer direction and increased confidence.

The user organizes and presents the collected data in a final report, aiming to achieve a specific outcome.

The user reflects on their information seeking process, evaluating success, learning from mistakes, and gaining valuable self-awareness.

A model by Kuhlthau describing the gradual refinement of a research problem, with information searches happening throughout the process.

The study of how people find, use, and interact with information, especially in the context of libraries and information systems.

A model of information-seeking behavior that highlights the importance of the user’s environment and how it influences their information needs and actions.

A model that explains how information seeking behavior can be influenced by factors like the user's knowledge, experience, and goals.

A model designed for understanding how users interact with and retrieve information from retrieval systems, such as search engines and databases.

A model suggesting that information seeking is a non-linear process, meaning it is not always a step-by-step progression.

Involves understanding the specific information needs and behaviors of different groups of users, such as scientists, engineers, or professionals in a particular field.

A concept that emphasizes the encounter with information, suggesting that information can be found unexpectedly or through serendipitous encounters.

A model that emphasizes the role of uncertainty in the information seeking process. It explains how people deal with lack of information while making important decisions.

Information seeking behavior model where information needs arise as a secondary need due to more fundamental needs, but also face various obstacles in the process.

The initial situation or context where an information need arises, like needing a specific recipe for a dinner party.

The difference between the current situation and the desired outcome, like needing to find a recipe that uses only vegetarian ingredients for your dinner party.

The strategies or actions used to bridge the gap and acquire the necessary information, like searching online for vegetarian recipes, asking friends for recommendations, or going to the library.

The result of successful sense-making, resulting in a reduced gap between the current situation and the desired outcome, like successfully finding a suitable vegetarian recipe and having a successful dinner party.

A theory that explains how individuals make sense of their world by actively seeking and processing information to understand and interpret their surroundings.

Factors that influence the emergence of information needs, like personal circumstances, social roles, and environment. These can also act as obstacles to seeking information.

The process of acquiring information to modify personal understanding and align it more closely with the perceived reality or 'external reality'.

The study of how people interact with information, how they find it, and how they use it in their daily lives.

A representation or framework that explains how people search for and use information. It lays out key steps people take, the factors influencing their decisions, and the outcomes of their information-seeking activities.

An influential model that suggests individuals engage in a systematic process of negotiating questions, finding answers, and evaluating information to meet their information needs.

A type of information seeking behavior that focuses on the practical and everyday information needs of individuals. It emphasizes the contextual nature of information use and how people's daily lives influence their information seeking.

The study of how people use libraries, how they access resources, and how they interact with library staff. It aims to understand the needs and behaviors of library users to improve services and resource accessibility.

A method for gathering data about library usage and user needs. It involves surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, or interviews to collect information from library users. The goal is to analyze user patterns and identify areas for improvement.

The generation of individuals who grew up with widespread access to the internet and digital technologies, shaping their online experiences, information seeking habits, and attitudes towards information. They often prefer digital sources and have different ways of accessing and evaluating information compared to previous generations.

An approach that analyzes and describes the characteristics of information seeking behaviors by individuals. It combines multiple perspectives from various disciplines like library science, communication studies, and psychology.