Theories of Information Behaviour

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According to Marcia J. Bates information behaviour “is the currently preferred term used to describe the many ways in which human beings interact with information, in particular, the ways in which people seek and utilize information. The broad history of research on information seeking behaviour over the last 50-60 years is reviewed, major landmarks are identified, and current directions in research are discussed” (Bates, 2010, 2381). Two of the most well known theorists of information behaviour are Thomas Wilson and Carol Kuhlthau. Wilson's theories have proved to play an important role in the development of information science and information seeking behaviour. Whereas Kuhlthau’s initial analysis focused heavily on the emotional strains of information seeking. Both these theorists allowed anybody rather than just scientists and scholars to understand the importance of information behaviour. Their diagrams proved to be the most useful in providing an understanding of information seeking and its significance.

Wilson defines models of information behaviour to be "statements, often in the form of diagrams, which attempt to describe an information-seeking activity, the causes and consequences of that activity, or the relationships among stages in information-seeking behaviour"(249). Wilson’s model focused on a number of important issues including how information works, the need for information, models and seeking information but particularly on the idea of “whole life” and the method of research most suitable to this and the nature of information science as an academic subject. (Diane H. Sonnenwald).

Kuhlthau’s model focused on the emotions of information seeking, she stated, “people experience the information search process as...

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...e can improve our methods and enhance our results.

Works Cited:

Bates, Marcia J. (2010) Information Behaviour In Encyclopaedia of Library and Information Sciences, 3rd Ed. Marcia J. Bates and Mary Niles Maack, Eds. New York: CRC Press, vol. 3, pp. 2381-2391.

Bates, Marcia J. (2007). "What is browsing – really? A model drawing from behavioural science research" Information Research, 12(4) paper 330. [Available at http://InformationR.net/ir/12-4/paper330.html]

Kuhlthau, C. C., & Tama, S. L. (2001). Information search process of lawyers: A call for ‘just for me’ information services. Journal of Documentation, 57(1).

Kuhlthau, C.C. (1993). Seeking Meaning: A Process Approach to Library and Information Services. Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

Wilson, Thomas D. (1999). Models in information behaviour research, Journal of Documentation, Vol. 55, No. 3 (June).

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