Information-seeking Practices Research Articles

Investigating Mobility, Place, and Information Access Through an Ethnographic Study of Vehicle Residents’ Information Practices in the United States

Throughout the United States, an approximated one million people currently inhabit vehicles parked in publicly accessible areas as their primary method of housing. This dissertation explores vehicle residents’ information seeking practices and barriers to information access. Library and Information science (LIS) research has not developed theory related to place, mobility, and information access, despite living in a hyper-mobile world. LIS primarily centers online information behaviors, limiting potential impact on larger populations that face unique barriers to information access. While some studies constructed theory to address the function of place in information behavior, few interrogate how place and mobility impact information access despite geographic mobility serving important functions in various theory constructions. To address the importance of place and mobility in the context of information access, I conducted a multi-method, ethnographic study. Completing two rounds of deeply embedded fieldwork from June-October 2023 in Santa Cruz, California (CA) and from January-February 2024 along the Southern CA and Arizona (AZ) border, I used participant observation, information horizon interviews, and guided tours and photographs of participant’s vehicles to explore vehicle residents’ information practices and information source preferences. I determined my key findings in Spring 2024; they reveal that participants experience micro-fractures in their information landscapes when moving through new information environments. Identifying vehicle residents’ information practices and most used information sources can help public libraries and other information institutions implement improved support services for this growing population as public libraries are well positioned to bolster information access on behalf of its communities.

Information-seeking behaviour of primary care clinicians in Singapore at the point-of-care: A qualitative study.

Clinicians' information-seeking behaviours impact patient care quality. Earlier studies indicated that barriers to accessing information deter clinicians from seeking answers to clinical questions. To explore primary care clinicians' information-seeking behaviour at point-of-care, focusing on when and how they seek answers to clinical questions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 45 clinicians after clinical sessions to investigate their information-seeking habits. Follow-up interviews were conducted after a week for those intending to address unanswered queries. Two thirds of clinicians encountered questions during care, with nearly three quarters resolving them during the session. Colleagues, guidelines and online platforms were common information sources, with smartphones being used to access Google, WhatsApp or UpToDate®. Facilitators included reliable sources and the drive to confirm knowledge, while barriers included ineffective search methods and high workload. Despite challenges, most clinicians expressed satisfaction with their information-seeking process. The findings underscore the increasing use of smartphones for accessing clinical information among Singaporean primary care clinicians and suggest the need for tailored training programmes and guidelines to optimise information-seeking practices. Insights from this study can inform the development of training programmes and guidelines aimed at improving information-seeking practices among primary care clinicians, potentially enhancing patient care quality.

Intimacy as a competency: information-seeking practices in (marriage) migration online support groups

This article explores the use of online social networks for seeking and sharing information about marriage migration. In Europe, since the 1990s, this migration has faced heightened scrutiny. Laws and administrative practices have added complexity to immigration procedures. Manifold screening methods gauge the authenticity of relationships aligning with the host nation’s concept of a suitable family for integration. In this context, informal self-help groups emerged to offer support to those facing burdensome formalities and local administrative intricacies. Based on extensive qualitative fieldwork, this article examines the significance of these support groups, drawing on the concept of intimacy as a shared competency. Here, intimacy is conceived as an active relational skill that counterbalances the limitations of migration policies. The analysis transcends the division between online and offline modes of living, shedding new light on intimacy and extimité – the sharing of one’s intimate self with others for validation – in doing family.

Did the COVID-19 experience change U.S. parents’ attitudes towards HPV vaccination? Results from a national survey

BackgroundIn the U.S., uptake of the HPV vaccine remains below coverage goals. There is concern that negative reactions to emergency initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccination, may have increased some parents’ hesitancy towards all vaccines, including HPV. Understanding how different parent populations view routine vaccination post-pandemic is key to strategic efforts to maintaining and increasing uptake of HPV vaccine. MethodsIn early 2022, we recruited an online panel of English-speaking U.S. parents and caregivers, who used the social media platform Twitter and had HPV vaccine-eligible but unvaccinated children age 9–14 years. Respondents completed a 20-minute survey measuring knowledge, attitudes and intentions regarding HPV vaccination for their child, as well as background socio-demographics and health information-seeking practices. Questions regarding experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic included changes in access to preventive care, and perceptions of whether pandemic experiences had positively or negatively affected their attitudes about routine vaccination, with open text capturing reasons for this change. ResultsAmong 557 respondents, 81 % were definitely or likely to vaccinate their child against HPV, with 12 % being uncertain, and 7 % unlikely to vaccinate. Regarding routine vaccination, most (70 %) felt their attitudes had not changed, while 26 % felt more positively, and only 4 % felt more negatively. Reasons for positive attitude change included increased appreciation for vaccines overall, and motivation to proactively seek preventive care for their child. Negative attitude changes stemmed from distrust of COVID-19 public health efforts including vaccine development, and disillusionment with vaccines’ ability to prevent disease. In multivariable models, intention to vaccinate was greater among parents reporting greater education, Democratic affiliation, greater religiosity, and urban residence. Negative attitude change due to the pandemic independently predicted reduced HPV vaccination intention, while positive attitude change predicted positive intention. ConclusionsPost-pandemic, most U.S. parents remain committed to vaccinating their children against HPV. However, addressing residual COVID-19 concerns could improve uptake among vaccine-hesitant parents.

Making sense of the COVID-19 crisis: information-seeking practices and attitudes towards information providers among Baltic audiences

ABSTRACTDrawing on a comparative cross-country survey and qualitative interview data, this article explores audiences’ information-seeking practices and sentiments related to news media and other information providers in Estonia and Latvia during the COVID-19 crisis. It concludes that members of both the ethno-linguistic majority and the Russian-speaking minority relied primarily on their social network and local experts to make sense of the pandemic, with media playing a rather moderate role. Russian speakers reoriented their news media repertoires away from Russian television toward local news providers. Despite popular sentiments of media skepticism in both countries, audiences in Estonia express more confidence in local news media. Alongside ethno-linguistic divides, the study illuminates socio-economic rifts in media-society relations.

The Demographic Effect on Information Practices of Pakistan’s Urban Youth

This study aims to investigate the effect of demographics such as number of siblings, province, gender, and age on youth’s everyday information using, managing, and sharing practices. It also exposes the demographic differences regarding information-seeking practices. A good number of studies have been carried out on youth and their information behavior but to observe their everyday information behavior and the impact of demographics very little literature is available. This study is an effort to understand the demographic effects and differences that may lead to designing systems to fulfill their everyday information needs. A quantitative approach was applied with a sample size of 1000 Pakistani urban teen students of private and public sector schools all over Pakistan. Survey methodology was applied; cluster sampling was done with a 5-point Likert scale. The data was collected through Google Forms and all the provinces were part of this survey including ICT and Gilgit Baltistan. Data Analysis was done through SPSS-21. The results revealed demographic variables were found to have a great effect on EIP, these variables were also found to polish up the proficiency of urban teen's everyday information practices. The findings would assist in developing helpful guidelines for urban teens to improve their EIP. This study will also respond to a gap in research by explaining the everyday information practices of urban teens.

Information seeking and personal information management behaviors as scaffolding during life transitions: the case of early-career researchers

PurposeThe study investigates the information-related challenges as well as the practices adopted by early-career researchers during transitions between roles and institutions. Its primary goal is to delve into how information behaviors serve as scaffolding during significant life shifts. Moreover, the research aims to provide actionable insights based on this scaffolding concept for individuals navigating transitions.Design/methodology/approachThis preliminary and exploratory study took a phenomenological approach to examine the role of information seeking and personal information management (PIM) behaviors during life transitions. In-depth semi-structured interviews were held with 15 early-career researchers from various disciplines, who were about to finish their PhDs or had recently graduated.FindingsBy employing information seeking and PIM practices, participants were able to address three main information challenges that arose during the transition process: the timing of information behavior, the nature of information and the social components of the transition. The use of networked and independent information seeking/validation practices enabled to establish a sustainable network of transition-related information, reducing uncertainty. PIM practices helped planning the transition, maintaining information over the long-term and gaining control over personal information.Originality/valueThis study underscores the significance of information behaviors, encompassing both information seeking and PIM, as scaffolding mechanisms during crucial life transitions. It offers essential insights that can guide the creation of impactful interventions and resources. Additionally, the research illuminates the pressing demand for more in-depth exploration in this domain.

Informational support and information-seeking during transition to parenthood: Baby Buddy Forward's focus groups with pregnant women and new mothers in Cyprus.

Relevant and accurate information during the transition to parenthood is vital for active participation in decision-making. The aim of the study was to gain an in-depth understanding of informational support and information-seeking practices among women in Cyprus during the transition to parenthood with a focus on the use of the internet and informed decision making. Qualitative descriptive exploratory design of 12 focus groups with 64 participants representing different language-cultural groups served by the Baby Buddy Cyprus app. A topic guide covering expectations, experiences and practices guided the discussions. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Seven themes and several subthemes emerged. In an 'unsupportive system', 'void' of informational support, pregnant women strive to have a 'confident voice'. They find themselves 'self-navigating in parallel worlds' of formal and informal information, where the internet holds a prominent place. 'Supplementing and filtering', instinctively and selectively, results in a state of 'doubt and faith' towards the trustworthiness of the information but also healthcare providers. Effective communication with providers is needed to break the cycle, but seems dependent on the self-efficacy of the women themselves ('art of communication'). Women 'deconstruct and reimagine' their experiences, often assigning responsibility on themselves for not having been better prepared. Women want control over decisions affecting their pregnancy. While the internet is a prevalent source of information, they value communication with healthcare providers and want direction. A shift is needed from current practices of unguided information-searching. Maternity healthcare professionals need to recognize this phenomenon, offer appropriate guidance, and support active participation in informed decision-making.

Exploring Information Seeking and PIM Practices of Early‐Career Researchers: Insights into Navigating Academic Transitions

ABSTRACTThis study represents the initial phase of a broader investigation into the significance of information seeking and personal information management (PIM) practices during life transitions. It focuses on early‐career researchers who experience multiple academic transitions and aims to identify the information practices they use and their role in promoting successful life transitions. To achieve this goal, in‐depth semi‐structured interviews were held with 15 early‐career researchers who recently completed their PhDs or graduated. Findings suggest that the participants relied on iterative cycles of various information seeking and validation practices to transition between positions and academic institutions, which improved their knowledge about the transition and reduced uncertainty. Once a network of transition‐related information was established, participants began utilizing PIM practices to organize their information and plan for the transition, thereby enhancing their sense of control over their information and maintaining it over the long term in an unstable environment. The study underscores the importance of information practices during life transitions and recommends interventions such as institutional support and information skills training programs to assist early‐career researchers in challenging transitions. The subsequent study will build upon these findings to further examine the role of information behavior in facilitating life transitions.

When Push Comes To Pull: Place, Mobility, and Information Access for Vehicle Residents

ABSTRACTThis high‐exposure study explores the information seeking practices of a specific unstably housed, mobile population. Vehicle residents earn a wage but have chosen to move into their vehicles as a survival strategy during a time when housing expenses account for more than half of lower‐income Americans’ monthly income. Drawing from previous work that highlights the importance of place in information behavior, this study investigates the ways that places influence information seeking for a population whose information environment is ever‐changing. This study is informed by two sets of semi‐structured interviews with seven individuals, including information horizon interviews and guided tours, from November 2020‐June 2021. Key initial findings demonstrate that both place and mobility constrain and facilitate information seeking for participants. Overall, understanding the unique features and needs of this particular group results in a more thorough comprehension of their information seeking practices to better understand information and service provision, information inequality, and inequity.

Searching for Self

A significant corpus of work exists exploring the information seeking practices of researchers, including academic scientists (Ellis et al., 1993; Hemminger et al., 2007), social scientists (Ellis, 1993; Meho and Tibbo, 2003), historians (Duff and Johnson, 2002; Rhee, 2011), and humanities scholars more broadly (Buchanan et al., 2005; Given & Wilson, 2015). However, very little work has been done on research-as-information seeking. An activity that can be done by laypeople as well as students and academics, research differentiates itself from other kinds of information seeking in several ways: the information sought is often used to produce outputs, the duration of the activity is often longer (ranging from days to decades) than more casual information seeking, and the methods employed in research are diverse and systematic. This paper introduces the new framework of the Research Self. The Research Self is a holistic and flexible model, with seven interrelated dimensions, designed to deepen our understanding of research practice.

Exploring the health information-seeking practices of breast cancer patients in a middle-income country with a diverse ethnic population: a cross-sectional investigation.

Seeking health information is an important step for cancer patients to understand their condition and facilitate treatment. It also helps them deal with the unknown and aid in recovery. Therefore, it is vital to understand the factors that drive health information-seeking behavior. This study aims to achieve that objective in a localized context by surveying 421 breast cancer patients in an urban teaching hospital. The patients were presented with a 5-point questionnaire that explored their demography, health status, information-seeking behavior, and literacy level. The prevalence of health information-seeking initiatives reported was 60%. Patients with higher education (OR 3.31; 95% CI (1.39-7.87), p = 0.01), having their own business or were self-employed (OR 4.68; 95% CI (1.03-21.24), p = 0.046), and in a Medium 40 (M40) income level (OR 2.31; 95% CI (1.09-4.88), p = 0.03) and Top 20 (T20) level were more likely to seek health information. The mean e-Health Literacy Score (eHEALS) was 28.01 ± 5.0, with healthcare professionals having the highest level of trust (mean 4.22 ± 0.79) and most useful resource score (mean 4.21 ± 0.78). Even though Google was the most popular online search tool used by respondents, most of them seldom (23.77%) or had never (34.34%) discussed the online information they found with healthcare professionals. In conclusion, it is still best for patients to appraise the sought-after information with experts to avoid misinformation and treatment delay.

System and content factors associated with college students’ adoption of YouTube for learning purposes

PurposeToday’s undergraduate students have spent a significant portion of their lives using YouTube for various reasons, whether for entertainment, personal development or academic learning purposes. This study aims to investigate how system factors (i.e. reliability, usability and searchability), interaction factors (i.e. provider and user interactions) and content factors (i.e. format, relevance and coverage) affect undergraduate students’ satisfaction with YouTube and their intentions to adopt YouTube for learning purposes.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses the information systems success model as its theoretical framework to explore the system, interaction and content factors associated with undergraduate students’ satisfaction with YouTube and their intentions to use YouTube for learning. The proposed hypotheses were examined by the structural equation modelling technique based on a survey with 345 undergraduate students at a Southeastern institution in the USA.FindingsThe results indicate that both system factors (including reliability, usability and searchability) and content factors (including format, relevance and coverage) have a statistically significant effect on students’ satisfaction with YouTube. This study also demonstrates that students’ satisfaction with YouTube significantly influences their intentions to use the platform for learning purposes.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed research model provides a novel perspective in understanding the complex nature of students’ adoption of YouTube for learning purposes, led by both system and content factors mediated by satisfaction with YouTube.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that when YouTube is intuitive to use and relevant content is added to the platform regularly, students are more likely to adopt this platform for learning purposes. As a result, it is critical that librarians remain aware of information-seeking practices and platforms used by students to tailor approaches to teaching information literacy to help students understand how to use the platform effectively.Originality/valueUsing the information systems success model, this research sheds light on the roles of system and content factors in undergraduate students’ satisfaction with YouTube and their intentions to use it for learning.

Trust and Access: Eye Information-seeking Practices and Preferences among Canadians.

This study highlights the value that the public places on obtaining trusted and accessible health-related information and their preference for obtaining it from their health care practitioners. Previous research has not been specific to Canadians or vision. Findings can be used to increase eye health literacy and eye care utilization. Canadians underuse eye care and underestimate the occurrence of asymptomatic eye disease. This study explored eye information-seeking practices and preferences among a group of Canadians. Using snowball sampling, a 28-item online survey collected respondent perceptions about their eye and health information-seeking practices and preferences. Questions examined electronic device access, information source use, and demographics. Two open-ended questions examined information-seeking practices and preferences. Respondents were at least 18 years old and living in Canada. Individuals working in eye care were excluded. Response frequencies and z scores were computed. Written comments were assessed using content analysis. Respondents searched for less eye than health information ( z scores ≥ 2.25, P < .05). For eye and health information, primary care providers were the used and preferred source, and reliance on Internet searches was greater than desired. Trust and access drove information-seeking practices. Respondent comments suggested that a hierarchy of trust operates across My Health Team, My Network, and My External Sources, with a persistent threat posed by Discredited Sources. Access to information sources seemed mediated by enablers (Convenience and Accessible Features) and barriers (Unreachable Health Team and Absent Systems). Eye information was seen as more specialized and harder to find. There was a high regard for health care practitioners who provide their patients with curated trusted information. These Canadians value trusted and accessible health-related information. They prefer eye and health information from their health care practitioners and value when their health team provides online curated information, particularly regarding eyes.

The information needs and practices of Australian adult prisoners

This paper describes the findings of a research project conducted in six adult prisons in New South Wales, Australia that sought to study the information needs and information seeking practices of adult Australian prisoners. Through data gathered from 106 prisoner surveys, the paper identifies the information needs of Australian adult prisoners across six information domains: legal, education, spirituality, health, prison life, and re-integration. For each information domain, participants were asked to identify their preferred source or sources of information from eight possible information sources: prison libraries, tablet devices, staff, family/friends, health services, television/radio, books etc. not from the prison library, or other. The number and nature of unmet information needs are also explored and described. The data gathered enables a study of the different information needs and behaviours of female and male prisoners, and prisoners from across various security levels. The paper finds a significant level of unmet information need in the lives of Australian adult prisoners across all information domains studied. Prisoners are heavily reliant on sources of information that are likely to be non-expert such as custodial staff, other inmates, and family and friends to attempt to meet their information needs about significant critical issues such as their ongoing legal matters and their health. The information needs are similar for female and male prisoners, however their information seeking practices differ, with male prisoners being more likely to have support from family and friends as information sources than female prisoners. Prisoners living in minimum security prisons are least likely to identify a need for spirituality-related information compared with prisoners living in other security classifications and are most likely to seek information regarding their reintegration back into their communities as they plan for their release.

Information-seeking preferences in diverse patients receiving a genetic testing result in the Clinical Sequencing Evidence-Generating Research (CSER) study

PurposeAccurate and understandable information after genetic testing is critical for patients, family members, and professionals alike. MethodsAs part of a cross-site study from the Clinical Sequencing Evidence-Generating Research consortium, we investigated the information-seeking practices among patients and family members at 5 to 7 months after genetic testing results disclosure, assessing the perceived utility of a variety of information sources, such as family and friends, health care providers, support groups, and the internet. ResultsWe found that individuals placed a high value on information obtained from genetics professionals and health care workers, independent of genetic testing result case classifications as positive, inconclusive, or negative. The internet was also highly utilized and ranked. Study participants rated some information sources as more useful for positive results compared with inconclusive or negative outcomes, emphasizing that it may be difficult to identify helpful information for individuals receiving an uncertain or negative result. There were few data from non-English speakers, highlighting the need to develop strategies to reach this population. ConclusionOur study emphasizes the need for clinicians to provide accurate and comprehensible information to individuals from diverse populations after genetic testing.

Seeking information about assistive technology: Exploring current practices, challenges, and the need for smarter systems

Ninety percent of the 1.2 billion people who need assistive technology (AT) do not have access. Information seeking practices directly impact the ability of AT producers, procurers, and providers (AT professionals) to match a user's needs with appropriate AT, yet the AT marketplace is interdisciplinary and fragmented, complicating information seeking. We explored common limitations experienced by AT professionals when searching information to develop solutions for a diversity of users with multi-faceted needs. Through Template Analysis of 22 expert interviews, we find current search engines do not yield the necessary information, or appropriately tailor search results, impacting individuals’ awareness of products and subsequently their availability and the overall effectiveness of AT provision. We present value-based design implications to improve functionality of future AT-information seeking platforms, through incorporating smarter systems to support decision-making and need-matching whilst ensuring ethical standards for disability fairness remain.

Media coverage of COVID-19 vaccines: sources of information, and verification practices of journalists in Ghana

ABSTRACT Background: Research on vaccines confirms the crucial role media play in framing discourses and mobilizing public support for successful immunization campaigns. What journalists cover on vaccination issues and their diligence in producing stories can influence attitudes to and uptake of vaccines. This paper contributes to emerging discussions on the role of the media in pandemics and in vaccination programs by interrogating the information seeking and verification practices of journalists reporting on COVID-19 vaccines in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among journalists from June to July 2021 through self-administered questionnaires by means of Google forms. The opinions of 300 respondents, randomly drawn from members of the Ghana Journalists’ Association, were solicited and a response rate of 73% obtained. Results: Majority of journalists surveyed relied on official health sources for their information on COVID-19 vaccines (61.5%) and were confident the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks (70%). While journalists relied on a variety of expert sources, social media platforms served as important sources of information also, with respondents stating a preference for Facebook (48.3%), and WhatsApp (44%). Journalists stated they were guided by sound practices such as source credibility and relevance, but betrayed weaknesses in their verification practices with a third of them admitting to sharing unsolicited information from social media. Conclusions: Journalists in Ghana generally display a positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccines and regularly search for information from official sources to inform their work, thus making them vital allies in overcoming vaccine hesitancy. Laxity in verification practices, however, makes them inadvertent agents of misinformation.

The importance of information acquisition to settlement services literacy for humanitarian migrants in Australia.

Due to the diversity and range of services provided to humanitarian migrants during the settlement phase of migration, acquiring information across multiple service domains is intrinsic to the effective utilisation of settlement services. There are research gaps investigating how humanitarian migrants experience and navigate unfamiliar, multiple, and often complex information and service systems of host countries. This study seeks to understand the impediments to humanitarian migrants' effective utilisation of information about settlement services and to identify strategies that can be implemented to overcome these barriers. Service providers were purposively recruited from organisations funded by the Australian Government to deliver settlement programs. The study applied an inductive thematic analysis approach to identify key themes that emerged from the data. From the perspective of service providers, the themed findings identified how humanitarian migrants gain knowledge about services, their information needs, information seeking practices and skills, and information specific to service domains. The findings illustrate the importance of acquiring information, knowledge, and skills across multiple information platforms and service domains as being integral to the effective utilisation of settlement services for humanitarian migrants. The study identifies systemic barriers to information and service access and suggests different strategies and approaches to improve access to context specific key information. The study identifies factors that inhibit the effectiveness of the Australian settlement service provision model and emphasises the need for targeted training of mainstream referral services. The study highlights the important role that settlement service providers play as mediators of information, adept at tailoring information to humanitarian migrants' individual and community information needs. The findings provide important insights that highlight the different roles that policymakers, researchers, and service providers can play to inform new approaches that improve the effectiveness of information and settlement service provision, as part of contributing to optimum settlement outcomes for humanitarian migrants.

Taking Chatman back to prison: rethinking the theory of life in the round

PurposeThis paper serves to test the validity of Chatman’s theory of “Life Lived in the Round” within a modern prison context. In particular, it examines Propositions Five and Six of her theory.Design/methodology/approachData regarding the information-seeking practices of Australian adult female and male prisoners from maximum-, medium- and minimum-security facilities was gathered through 106 surveys and 27 semi-structured interviews. Participants’ information-seeking from sources internal and external to the “small world” of the prison was described. The information behaviours of the participants were examined against Chatman’s theory of “Life in the Round” to determine its applicability in the prison context.FindingsThe data gathered does not support Chatman’s theory of “Life Lived in the Round”, despite that theory being developed in a prison context. Neither Proposition Five nor Proposition Six of Chatman’s theory can be supported when examined in the light of the current data.Research limitations/implicationsThe inability of the data to support Chatman’s theory requires a reassessment of the applicability of the theory, at least to the prison context. As the theory was generated in part from a prison study, the foundational understandings of the theory could be questioned as a result of this current research.Originality/valueAlthough Chatman’s theory has been examined against the information behaviours of other “Small World” communities, none of these studies have taken the theory back to the prison context from which the theory was developed. This study is also novel as its findings do not support Chatman’s theory, in contrast to other previously published examinations.