Hidden Concepts of Library and Information Science in Information Seeking Behavior Models

Abstract

Modeling information seeking behavior was started in the early 1980s pioneered by Wilson. More than 70 models in the last four decades on information seeking behavior have emerged. The models delineate the concepts from cognate subjects such as psychology and sociology. The authors made an analytical study of these models and identified many concepts of library and information science (LIS); from information processing and retrieval, reference service case studies and the evaluation experiments of information retrieval systems intrinsically are hidden in these models that have not been explicitly expounded as part of information seeking traits. The Chain Indexing devised by Ranganathan has an inclusive concept into information seeking with the phrase "Sought Link" to select the relevant subject heading(s) derived from the document(s) for indexing and to assign as the sought term(s) in the subject catalogue. Lancaster in the evaluation of MEDLARS identified phrases; serendipity and novelty ratio in response to users queries to the system. The paper after an in depth study of these ideas and with an analytical review of the models implies many of the classical concepts from LIS are implicit-in information seeking patterns of users. The paper conjures up to investigate them in the models of information seeking behavior as pragmatic rather only on user perceptions.