Intra-individual information behaviour in daily life

Abstract

This study addresses the lack of attention in the literature paid to detailed analysis of individuals' information behaviour in daily life contexts. In particular, the study characterizes one individual's information behaviour across different daily life situations, to seek behavioural patterns that might be associated with various aspects of each information seeking situation. Data was collected through participant diaries, and subsequent oral interviews. This study reports on source selection, and influence of various aspects of the situations described. These aspects were identified from analysis of the interview transcripts, and include time constraints and pressures, motivation for the information need, context of the information need, type of initiating event, location of information seeking activities, intended application of the information found, and source type.