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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 inf...
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... of information behaviour, however, appear to be fewer than those devoted to information-seeking behaviour or information searching. Figure 1 is a variation on Wilson's model of 1981 [8]. ...
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... proposes a model of the search process, derived from empirical research, which identifies user judgements, search tactics or moves, interactive feedback loops, and cycles as constituting the search process of a person in interaction with an IR system [30]. The model is shown, in simplified form, in Figure 10. Spink describes the model as follows: ...
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... The Association for Information Management Staple Hall, Stone House Court, London EC3A 7PB Tel: +44 (0) 171 903 0000, Fax: +44 (0) Interactive feedback loops Figure 10. Spink's model of the IR interaction process intimated above) as a series of nested fields: information behaviour may be defined as the more general field of investigation (as shown in Figure 11), with information-seeking behaviour being seen as a sub-set of the field, particularly concerned with the variety of methods people employ to discover, and gain access to information resources, and information searching behaviour being defined as a sub-set of information-seeking, particularly concerned with the interactions between information user (with or without an intermediary) and computer-based information systems, of which information retrieval systems for textual data may be seen as one type.* ...
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... The Association for Information Management Staple Hall, Stone House Court, London EC3A 7PB Tel: +44 (0) 171 903 0000, Fax: +44 (0) Interactive feedback loops Figure 10. Spink's model of the IR interaction process intimated above) as a series of nested fields: information behaviour may be defined as the more general field of investigation (as shown in Figure 11), with information-seeking behaviour being seen as a sub-set of the field, particularly concerned with the variety of methods people employ to discover, and gain access to information resources, and information searching behaviour being defined as a sub-set of information-seeking, particularly concerned with the interactions between information user (with or without an intermediary) and computer-based information systems, of which information retrieval systems for textual data may be seen as one type.* We might also extend the nested model further by showing that information behaviour is a part of human communication behaviour: given the amount of information-related research in various aspects of communication studies, such as that on consumer behaviour, it may be particularly useful to remember this in cer- tain contexts. ...
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... focus of studies in information behaviour is on the information seeker of known or unknown communications, while, although the communication recipient is considered in research in communication studies, there is also a strong focus upon the communicator and the channels of communication. So, while attention is drawn to the connection here, Figure 1 does not include communication studies as an all-embracing field. However, we can show the general relationship between communication and information-seeking behaviour in Figure 12. ...
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... while attention is drawn to the connection here, Figure 1 does not include communication studies as an all-embracing field. However, we can show the general relationship between communication and information-seeking behaviour in Figure 12. ...
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... can also suggest that the areas in Figure 12 interact with the field of human-computer interaction (HCI), as indeed they must and, because HCI is con- cerned with all aspects of human and computer interaction, including computer- based information retrieval, we can perceive it as a related field that intersects with communication behaviour and its sub-fields. ...
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... hypothesise that, (a) each stage sees the successive resolution of more and more uncertainty, and (b) where uncer- tainty fails to be resolved at any one stage, it may result in a feedback loop to the previous stage for further resolution. We may represent this as in Figure 13. ...
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... model (discussed earlier) has the stages Initiation, Selection, Exploration, Formulation, Collection, and Presentation, which are described more fully above. The model proposed here suggests that some of these terms can be used to identify the stages through which an individual moves to resolve uncertainty: Figure 13. A problem solving model of the information seeking and searching process ...
Citations
... Here, information/data resources play an important role as cognitive resources. Such process was mentioned in Wilson's problem solving model of the information seeking and searching process showed (Wilson, 1999). ...
Introduction. Governance process optimisation is critical to achieve the goal of improving public services efficiency. Public data service is crucial starting point for realising this goal. However, practical challenges persist in public data service, including unclear processes and insufficient identification of public data service citizens’ information needs. Method & Analysis. We employed an inductive methodology to analyse the public data service users’ information needs and annual distribution among information needs. Based on a data-driven approach, we mapped these information needs sub-categories into four main procedures in public data service. This paper further identified the hierarchy of information needs based on public data processing levels. We utilised Sankey diagram to effectively illustrate cross-analysis result between topics and information needs’ subcategories. Results. The typical levels of public data service users’ information needs include informing, utilisation, problem-solving, social life service, and society governance. Furthermore, our study reveals the data flow among sub-categories of public data service information needs follows the logic of Datafication- Government to Government-Government to citizens- Data to Optimiation. Conclusion. Government departments should ensure public data quality and facilitate efficient data circulation processes. We recommend understanding relationships between public data resources and services derived from them through a problem-solving lens. Our findings will serve as a reference tool for analysing information needs of public data service users in other countries.
... The definition was developed from the work of Case, Given, Savolainen and Wilson. The onion model of Wilson (1999) presents information retrieval as a more specific activity, which falls under the umbrella term. ...
Introduction. Extensive conceptualisations of context in information behaviour research do not extend to all contexts revealed in the use of electronic (e)-dictionary and similar e-sources. Information behaviour emphasises users’ contexts and their situations. As intermediaries, examples of using e-dictionaries reveal additional contexts. E-dictionary research and lexicographical insight add additional conceptualisations of information behaviour contexts. Method. Conceptual paper drawing on literature reviews of research on e-dictionaries and conceptualisations of information behaviour contexts, and an exemplar approach to e-dictionary use. Analysis. The literature and dictionary use examples are analysed through an information behaviour lens with added lexicographic insight. Results. Conceptualisations of context in information behaviour research strongly focus on the user (e.g. the need, problem) and specific situations in such contexts, sometimes extending to temporality and spatiality. Information retrieval literature also notes the context of the person who created information and of an intermediary (person or system). Three contexts are evident from e-dictionary use and lexicography: user, information intermediary (dictionary), and word, phrase or text (information source). These contexts might influence information behaviour. Conclusion. The use of e-dictionaries and similar intermediaries, observed with lexicographic insight, can enhance conceptualisations of context in information behaviour, which is of value in the use of information sources and information evaluation.
... Wilson's expansion on Ellis's model made the earliest attempt on restructuring the components, integrating Kuhlthau's ISP model to arrange the information seeking characteristics into a staged linear process (Wilson, 1999). Bronstein (2007) further introduced the role of research phase to structure the seeking characteristics into initial phase and current awareness phase, and she also identified information managing and evaluation activities to be phase-independent elements. ...
Introduction. Much of humanities data are existing materials. Yet there are few works examining humanities scholars’ data seeking behaviours. The study aims to address this gap building upon Ellis’ model. Method. We recruited 27 humanities scholars with diverse academic backgrounds and conducted in-depth interviews. Analysis. A preliminary codebook was developed from existing literature. Researchers combined deductive and inductive coding to analyse the interview transcripts. Results. Humanities scholars’ data interactions fall into two approaches: data-driven and structure-driven, each involving three phases – exploratory seeking, focused seeking, and supplementary seeking. We identified eleven characteristics of data seeking behaviours operating at different levels and revealed their variations across research approaches and seeking phases. Conclusion. The study contributes to the conceptual growth of Ellis' model and expands its utility beyond the original information seeking contexts, indicating its potential applicability to data seeking. It also provides practical implications for system design and humanities data curation.
... The need for a better understanding of information seeking behaviour, part of the comprehensive, umbrella concept of information behaviour (Wilson, 1999), led to an exploratory study that was conducted in 2023 focusing on the process of repertoire selection, and specifically the tasks and role of the conductor and how to map the activities of information seeking, use of information sources, conductor roles and tasks, and factors influencing information seeking behaviour. The value of such understanding would allow conductors in training to be better advised on details pertaining to the process, including aspects to consider in relation to information seeking activities and the use of information source. ...
Introduction. Music repertoire selection is a process driven by music conductors. They focus on scoring, ensemble composition, acquisition methods (i.e., acquiring the music). Information needs and seeking are core to repertoire selection and conductors’ tasks/roles. It cannot be considered in isolation; other conductor responsibilities, past experiences, and external factors (e.g., finances) influence the process and information seeking. We report findings from an exploratory study conducted in 2023 with 37 conductors. Method. Brief literature review, triangulated with findings from a mixed-method study. A semi-structured questionnaire collected quantitative data from 37 conductors and individual online interviews collected qualitative data from two conductors. Analysis. Quantitative data revealed typical tasks requiring information, issues to consider in repertoire selection (e.g., text, ensemble capabilities), internet usage and other information seeking activities and sources. Qualitative data elaborated on factors influencing repertoire selection and information seeking e.g., repertoire inspiration and financial factors. Results & discussion. Three core themes influencing information seeking are discussed: process of repertoire selection, user (individual conductor) characteristics, external factors. The repertoire selection (process) is mapped against information seeking behaviour (activities, sources), user characteristics and external factors. Conclusion. Music repertoire selection’s interdependence with other tasks of music conductors, the importance of individuality and inevitable external factors, influence information seeking.
... to subjective queries (P23-Assistant: "What's your opinion on Uniqlo?"), which aligned with the findings in Section 6.2. These progressions in query complexity echoed Wilson's information seeking model [102]. ...
Developing domain-specific conversational agents (CAs) has been challenged by the need for extensive domain-focused data. Recent advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) make them a viable option as a knowledge backbone. LLMs behaviour can be enhanced through prompting, instructing them to perform downstream tasks in a zero-shot fashion (i.e. without training). To this end, we incorporated structural knowledge into prompts and used prompted LLMs to build domain-specific voice-based CAs. We demonstrate this approach for the specific domain of textile circularity in form of the design, development, and evaluation of TextileBot. We present the design and development of the voice agent TextileBot and also the insights from an in-person user study (N=30) evaluating three variations of TextileBots. We analyse the human-agent interactions, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Our results suggest that participants engaged in multi-turn conversations, and their perceptions of the three variation agents and respective interactions varied demonstrating the effectiveness of our prompt-based LLM approach. We discuss the dynamics of these interactions and their implications for designing future voice-based CAs. The results show that our method's potential for building domain-specific CAs. Furthermore, most participants engaged in multi-turn conversations, and their perceptions of the three voice agents and respective interactions varied demonstrating the effectiveness of our prompt-based LLM approach. We discuss the dynamics of these interactions and their implications for designing future voice-based CAs.
... Our work relates broadly to more theoretical work on information needs. The formulation of information needs was initially popularised by Wil-son (Wilson 1981) and the resulting information models refined over the years (Wilson 1997(Wilson , 1999. Information needs have also been linked to concepts in biology by comparing the need for information to the need for food (Machlup 1983). ...
Wikipedia, in its role as the world's largest encyclopedia, serves a broad range of information needs. Although previous studies have noted that Wikipedia users' information needs vary throughout the day, there is to date no large-scale, quantitative study of the underlying dynamics. The present paper fills this gap by investigating temporal regularities in daily consumption patterns in a large-scale analysis of billions of timezone-corrected page requests mined from English Wikipedia's server logs, with the goal of investigating how context and time relate to the kind of information consumed. First, we show that even after removing the global pattern of day-night alternation, the consumption habits of individual articles maintain strong diurnal regularities. Then, we characterize the prototypical shapes of consumption patterns, finding a particularly strong distinction between articles preferred during the evening/night and articles preferred during working hours. Finally, we investigate topical and contextual correlates of Wikipedia articles' access rhythms, finding that article topic, reader country, and access device (mobile vs. desktop) are all important predictors of daily attention patterns. These findings shed new light on how humans seek information on the Web by focusing on Wikipedia as one of the largest open platforms for knowledge and learning, emphasizing Wikipedia's role as a rich knowledge base that fulfills information needs spread throughout the day, with implications for understanding information seeking across the globe and for designing appropriate information systems.
... The model is broad, comprehensive, and constitutes many important elements of information behavior concerned with how people seek and make use of information as well as the channels they use to get information (Wilson 1997). It qualifies to study different kinds of information users because it is interdisciplinary and general (Robson and Robinson 2013;Wilson 1999). The model pictures the cycle of information activities from the inception of an information need to the final phase where information is processed and used (Niedzwiedzka 2003). ...
... The literature reveals that information needs of individuals are triggered by an interaction between personal and environmental factors (Du Preez 2015; Robson and Robinson 2013). The above assertions corroborate Wilson's 1996 model of general information behaviour which focuses on the information user depicting the events that take place before an information need arises until the time it is processed and used (Wilson 1999). Some of the antecedents in the case of the Swaziland sugarcane farmers that give rise to their information needs are environmental (context) relatedevents such as policy changes by the government that resulted in the transition of small farmers from maize growers to sugarcane growers of which they might have very little understanding, as well as the failure of the agriculture extension services in providing adequate information services to rural communities. ...
... Wilson's 1996 model of information behaviour(Wilson 1999). ...
The sugar industry is the dominant agricultural sector in Swaziland’s economy, contributing significantly to the gross domestic product. Provision of relevant and timely information to smallholder sugarcane farmers is crucial for them to have a competitive footing with large-scale counterparts and reduce poverty. However, there is limited literature on the information needs and the kind of information communication resources that could make the dissemination of information to farmers efficient and effective. This study thus aims to investigate the information needs and resources of smallholder sugarcane farmers in Swaziland to inform the provision of information services in the sugar industry. It was underpinned by a positivist paradigm and used the survey research method complemented by methodological triangulation to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Data was collected using survey questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, with 168 responses and six interviews conducted. The findings revealed that 71 % of information needs of farmers were primarily in legislative compliance, sugarcane crop husbandry, markets and transport, and financial advice information, however, there were no statistically significant differences between the three mill groups in information needs. The smallholder sugarcane farmers also mostly obtained agricultural information through extension officers, farmer groups, and mobile phones, indicating that required information was mainly accessed through face-to-face interactions. The empirical findings of the study have implications for practice, policy, and theory with respect to guiding the implementation of agricultural information services by information providers in the context of rural farmers in developing countries.
... O uso das plataformas envolve a ação e o processo da busca e recuperação da informação. Wilson (1999)propôs um modelo conceitual, mostrado na figura 1, para delimitar as áreas de estudo sobre busca de informação. O comportamento informacional é o campo mais geral de investigação e abarca o campo comportamento de busca de informação, que se refere à variedade de métodos para descoberta e acesso das fontes de informação. ...
Bibliotecas, arquivos e museus são responsáveis pela disseminação dos acervos sob sua guarda para um público especializado e não especializado e, frequentemente, utilizam a web, para disponibilizar seus conteúdos em plataformas digitais. Portanto, o desenvolvimento de sistemas amigáveis e fáceis de manusear pelos usuários finais é primordial para garantir a satisfação das necessidades informacionais. Desta forma, torna-se relevante o amplo conhecimento sobre estes usuários. Este trabalho propõe um método de levantamento de informações sobre usuários de plataformas de acervos digitais, baseado em personas. O método foi aplicado em um estudo de casona Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Foram desenvolvidas três personas que foram validadas por especialistas em acervos. Como resultado, conclui-se que o método pode ser utilizado para este tipo de sistema, pois envolve a investigação aprofundada do usuário e permite validação.
... In Figure 3, we combine the widely used information behavior model [43] and the information-seeking model [28,32] to illustrate the relation between context, information behavior, and information-seeking strategies. Through this renewed hybrid model, we highlight the importance of context that affects tasks that formulate the actual information need. ...
... Tasks are concrete units of information behavior that allow us to design educational information-seeking activities that apply AI chatbots (see Section 3.2). Figure 3. A renewed information-seeking model built by merging the augmented information-seeking model [28,32] and the nested model of information behavior [43]. ...
... The second activity introduced students to concept mapping. A concept map is a meta-level knowledge tool especially useful for making internal conceptual structures visible, which facilitates communication between stakeholders and enables refining information from data to expertise [40,43,88]. While designing the activity, we saw the possibilities that AI chatbots offer for learning discussions. ...
Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are next-word predictors built on large language models (LLMs). There is great interest within the educational field for this new technology because AI chatbots can be used to generate information. In this theoretical article, we provide educational insights into the possibilities and challenges of using AI chatbots. These insights were produced by designing chemical information-seeking activities for chemistry teacher education which were analyzed via the SWOT approach. The analysis revealed several internal and external possibilities and challenges. The key insight is that AI chatbots will change the way learners interact with information. For example, they enable the building of personal learning environments with ubiquitous access to information and AI tutors. Their ability to support chemistry learning is impressive. However , the processing of chemical information reveals the limitations of current AI chatbots not being able to process multimodal chemical information. There are also ethical issues to address. Despite the benefits, wider educational adoption will take time. The diffusion can be supported by integrating LLMs into curricula, relying on open-source solutions, and training teachers with modern information literacy skills. This research presents theory-grounded examples of how to support the development of modern information literacy skills in the context of chemistry teacher education.
... These authors show that information behavior is not restricted to the labor scope, but also occurs in several routine situations, such as, for example, the decision on the purchase of a certain product. Wilson (1999) states that information behavior is the visible manifestation of the search for satisfaction of an information need. For this author, the information need ultimately seeks to satisfy basic underlying needs: physiological, affective and/or cognitive. ...
... In this perspective, it is relevant to perceive the reality that technology alone cannot satisfy information needs in the work environment, since it is necessary to understand the kinds of required information, what they are used for, and the existing barriers to information acquisition. It is also important to recognize, as Wilson (1999) states, that not only documented information is relevant, but that people are important information sources. People are not only information sources, but creators and holders of knowledge accumulated along their work experience. ...
The software industry plays an important role in the Brazilian society as a profitable sector that employs hundreds of thousands of people. Programmers have special relevance in this context since they develop computational programs using knowledge and information. This literature review addresses the relationship of these professionals with information, i.e., their information behavior, as well as their needs and problems in this regard. We also emphasize the importance of contextualize the informational behavior in the social sphere, in this case, the organizational culture. We studied if the volume of the scientific production on the information behavior of these professionals in Information Science corresponds with the relevance of their profession to the society, compared to the production on the informational behavior of other knowledge professionals. As a methodology, we searched the papers on this subject indexed by online databases, analyzing their abstracts to verify the paradigms and approaches adopted. It is shown that few studies consider this subject in Information Science, revealing the need of more research on this topic.
KEYWORDS:
User Studies; Information Needs; Computer Software
