Information Seeking Research Articles

Reflective and Formative Indicators of Information Credibility on Social Media

ABSTRACTAs part of a larger project to develop a scale for measuring web credibility perceptions, this poster reports on preliminary findings of a literature analysis to identify reflective and formative indicators of information credibility on social media. Of 90 papers found by a systematic database search and screening, this poster examines 20 papers focused on information credibility on microblogs (e.g., Twitter, Weibo) as a popular source for online users' information seeking. Our analysis identified 22 reflective indicators (e.g., fair, accurate) and 31 formative indicators (e.g., reputable, attractive), eight (e.g., trustworthy, unbiased) of which overlapped. Given the intertwined, often blurred border between these two sets of items, the coding scheme developed in the present study can help determine the relevance and type of the items. Future research directions are discussed.

The Experiences of Pregnancy Among Adolescent Girls in Jordan

ObjectiveTo explore the experience of pregnancy among adolescent girls ages 16 to 19 years in Jordan. DesignDescriptive exploratory qualitative design. SettingParticipants were recruited from antenatal clinics and postpartum wards in Ministry of Health primary health care clinics and hospitals across Jordan. This included a wide geographic area in Jordan that covered several cities: Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, As-Salt, and others. ParticipantsThe total number of participants was 13. Most participants were primiparous, and three were multiparous. Five participants were recruited during the postpartum period, seven in the second and third trimester, and one during the first trimester. MeasurementsData were collected using semistructured and audio-recorded interviews and analyzed concurrently. Thematic analysis was used. A total of 13 interviews were conducted. ResultsTwo core themes emerged from the study: Navigating the Change and Reflecting on the Experience of Pregnancy. The first theme included four subthemes: Making Adjustments, Seeking Support, Searching for Information, and Feeling the Responsibility. ConclusionConsidering the impact of pregnancy on adolescent girls and their fetuses, early marriages should be reconsidered in legal and health policies in Jordan and worldwide. Adolescents expressed a need for more information about pregnancy. Age-appropriate comprehensive sexual education that includes discussion of gender issues and women’s empowerment is needed. Online sources of pregnancy information targeting the needs of adolescents are also recommended. More research is needed to explore the needs of pregnant adolescents in different social and cultural contexts.

The acceptance of social media as a channel of communication and livestock information for sheep farmers

Abstract The development of technology and information in the Industry 4.0 era, especially the internet, is experiencing very rapid progress. Searching for information through new media will increase human resource capacity and work efficiency. Using technology acceptance model (TAM) theory, this study aims to identify social media usage as a communication and information medium and analyze the influence between constructs in social media acceptance. A cross-sectional survey was used in this study design. A structured questionnaire from previous related studies was used as the instrument. One hundred and eleven sheep farmers from several villages in Sukabumi, West Java groups, participated in this survey. Stratified sampling was adopted to select and interview the respondents. The findings show that social media usage as a channel for communication and livestock information is quite adequate. Many farmers already use WhatsApp and YouTube. However, only a few farmers use Facebook and Instagram. The results of the TAM analysis (limited to only the WhatsApp application) indicate that perceived ease of use positively influences perceived usefulness (PU). A positive relationship is also shown between PU and behavioral intention to use. The theoretical implication is that this study proves how social media adopts in disseminating messages and seeking information. Regarding managerial implications, the findings suggest that stakeholders in the agricultural industry across the value chain could enhance their services by fostering a broader ecosystem of social media applications.

Using Positionality to Address Student Bias in Information Seeking

ABSTRACTWhile participating in the information search process, students are instructed to choose credible sources for their research. They often interpret this imperative as simply avoiding bias in the sources they choose. Unfortunately, students misunderstand bias and fail to recognize its significance in the scholarly conversation. One way librarians can help with this misunderstanding is by engaging with theoretical concepts such as positionality theory. Positionality theory offers librarians a way to examine bias's function in the research process in order to teach students about its complexity.While bias and positionality are concepts that have been explored in information literacy research, most research does not address them as related topics. This poster explores notions of bias, positionality theory, and strategies to employ that will help librarians use this theory to address student misunderstandings around questions of bias and credibility. This new understanding helps students determine their own positionality when approaching information searching.

Balancing benefits and risks of exercise in pregnancy: a qualitative analysis of social media discussion

Exercise improves pregnancy outcomes, but few pregnant individuals meet physical activity guidelines. The main objective of this study was to explore the perception of exercise during pregnancy using posts and...

“We Don't Have a Lot of Answers”: An Investigation of COVID Long‐Haulers' Information Needs & Practices

ABSTRACTThe information behaviors of people who have COVID‐19 have been well studied, however, there is a gap regarding those who experience long COVID. We conducted an exploratory mixed‐methods study to examine the information needs and practices of these COVID ‘long‐haulers’ with the intention of suggesting new health communication strategies to help people in similar health crises or future pandemics from an information standpoint. Several themes have emerged from our preliminary findings: how participants tend to define long COVID, their long COVID‐related information seeking and their difficulty with finding such information, and their experiences with discrimination and stigma. Throughout data collection, we have experienced issues with suspicious respondents (such as potential bots), though we were able to implement new criteria to determine legitimacy. Data collection and analysis is still ongoing and we expect to report additional findings in the near future.

Everyday Triangulation within Challenging Informational and Legal Contexts: Exploring Everyday Triangulation in Individuals Considering Cannabis Use during Pregnancy or Lactation

ABSTRACTMedical evidence on the risks and benefits of cannabis is limited; existing research is often inconclusive or conflicting. In the United States, cannabis use during pregnancy is stigmatized and often subject to complex legal constraints; these contextual components may have significant effects on information seeking and informed decision‐making processes. This study applies Reflexive Thematic Analysis to 23 telephone interviews with individuals considering cannabis use in pregnancy or lactation to explore their information needs; how adequately those needs were met; and how information triangulation, and other information seeking behaviours, were used to make decisions given the dearth of scientific evidence. Findings suggest that information needs are complex and contextual, and that participants used forms of triangulation that included relational and intuitive elements as well as cognitive assessment processes. A new model of Everyday Triangulation (ET) is presented to represent these complex assessment practices in a holistic manner.

Современные принципы и методы оказания первой помощи при утоплении

Summary. The aim of the study — to review and analyze the scientific literature and current recommendations on first aid (FA) for drowning; based on the results of the analysis, to develop a draft universal algorithm for providing FA in drowning. Study materials and methods. The material for the study comprised international and national guidelines on FA in drowning and articles on the topic of FA in drowning published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The information search was carried out in January 2024 using the Google search engine and bibliographic databases Google Scholar, PubMed, and eLIBRARY.RU. Results of the study and their analysis. Being one of the most common causes of accidental death, drowning is a serious public health problem. Timely and correct provision of FA by incident witnesses significantly reduces the risk of death and disability for the victims. At the same time, the topic of providing FA for drowning has been little touched upon in the domestic scientific literature. There are no uniform guidelines for the Russian Federation on the provision of FA in drowning. Improvement of the organizational basis in Russia for effective provision of FA for drowning requires the development and approval of a unified formal procedure for providing FA for drowning and the establishment of the practice of mass training of the population in modern principles and methods of providing FA for drowning. Based on the results of the analysis of current international guidelines on FA, the proposed universal algorithm for providing FA for drowning, after discussion and agreement by the scientific community, may act as a basic element for creating the formal procedure for providing FA and developing appropriate educational and awareness-raising materials on FA for drowning.

Dancing in the Dark: The Case for Chaos in an Age of AI Generated Answers

ABSTRACTOne of the key aims of information search tools is to organise information and make it accessible and useful, reducing the chaos of an information deluge to ten blue links, perhaps with some context about the utility of the information they represent. Generative AI answer engines, such as ChatGPT, have gone one step further, reducing the ten blue links to a single passage of text: highly digestible, easily accessible, possibly false and ultimately bland. All chaos, including disagreement between sources, possible false information, and the influence of societal biases, and the opportunity to access more information is hidden under a rug of simple, authoritative sounding text. Friction, disagreement, reflections and odd informational juxtapositions have long been known to underpin serendipity, inspiration and creativity, yet these answer engines reduce all of these opportunities, particularly in the context of complex information needs. Using ‘bounded chaos’ as a framework, we critique the trade‐offs made by answer engines, demonstrating that, even as they are non‐deterministic, they hide the wrong parts of the chaos for those who seek learning or inspiration. We make the case against bland, and defend information seekers need for perceptible heterogeneity, friction, and even a little chaos.

“Mutual Sustenance”: Co‐constructing the Foundation for Vulnerability in the Participant/Researcher Relationship through an Ethnographic Study of Vehicle Residents' Information Practices

ABSTRACTInformation Science (IS) researchers and practitioners aim to understand information seeking and needs across vulnerable communities. These relationships possess insider and outsider dynamics between researchers and participants. To foster vulnerability, trust, and empathy in the research process and to meet participants where they are in the research process, it may be beneficial for IS researchers to incorporate and consider concepts like reflexivity and positionality. The concept of the “vulnerable observer” (Behar, 1997) was implemented to frame the humanization of the researcher through an ethnographic study of vehicle residents as a vulnerable population. The relationships developed with participants serve as the grounds for which vulnerability can flourish through the utilization of safe environments. A safe, familiar environment for the participant is an important ingredient to produce trust and reciprocity. Reciprocity has the potential to lay the groundwork for a vulnerable foundation built on trust and rapport.

Age Differences in Consulting Others During Decision Making.

Many choices are made in the context of one's social network, but age differences in consulting others during decision-making remain underexplored. This pre-registered study examined age differences in the composition of decision-related social networks and associated social preferences and motivations. Based on prior findings regarding age differences in information-seeking and socioemotional preferences, we predicted that with advanced age people would consult fewer and more emotionally close social partners, consult them less frequently, rate consultations as more helpful, and prioritize social goals during decision-making. An adult lifespan sample (N = 485; Mage = 51.08; SDage = 19.63, rangeage = 18-96 years) considered hypothetical choices and reported how many and what types of people they would consult and how often they would consult them. They also identified their most important decision consultants and evaluated interactions with those individuals. As predicted, age was associated with consulting fewer people less frequently and this was not explained by having a smaller range of potential consultants in one's network. Contrary to predictions, the proportion of close social partners in decision networks and the perceived helpfulness of consultants did not vary significantly by age. Moreover, older adults were less likely than younger adults to prioritize relationship quality over decision quality. Controlling for potential covariates did not diminish the observed age effects. These findings align with the prior literature on age-related decrements in pre-decisional information seeking but suggest that age-related preferences for close social partners and socioemotional goals do not extend to decision-related consultations.

Empowering Users with ChatGPT and Similar Large Language Models (LLMs): Everyday Information Needs, Uses, and Gratification

ABSTRACTDisruptive technologies such as ChatGPT and similar Large Language Models (LLMs) have transformed mundane everyday tasks of information users since their debut in late 2022. In this study, we leverage uses and gratifications theory to test a distinct set of motivations that drive users' satisfaction and continued use intentions of ChatGPT and similar large language models. Data were collected using a national online survey of 323 adults residing in the United States. We conducted data analysis using Partial Least Squares (PLS‐SEM) to investigate both direct and indirect impact of factors on users' gratification, thereby influencing the continued utilization of these tools for everyday information seeking. Results show four motivational factors ‐ social influence, trust, personalization, and perceived usefulness ‐ that positively influence users' satisfaction or sense of gratification, impacting their intentions to continue using these tools. This is one of the few early studies of ChatGPT and other LLMs from an information science perspective.

The Shape(s) of Information Practice: Using Radial Mapping Qualitatively

ABSTRACTInformation practices comprise both seeking and avoidance. Although information practices scholars use qualitative and visual methods to understand seeking practices, they rarely do so to understand avoidance. This paper proposes a new visual method that supports revealing and explaining the complex interplay of seeking and avoidance in rich qualitative data. We introduce seven dimensions of information seeking and avoidance practice (intensity, granularity, engagement, control, relevance, quality, and timeliness). We conceptualize these visually as axes radiating outward from a central origin. We use Excel radar charts to depict these dimensions, allowing us to identify and characterize the shapes of information seeking and avoidance in everyday information practices. We apply our approach to two cases from published literature to show how mapping reveals the interplay between seeking and avoidance at one point in time and over time. We propose potential data collection and analysis applications of this method for information practices research.

Exploring online health resources and self-care among irritable bowel syndrome patients: analyzing internet use and AI chatbot interactions.

The increasing prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Saudi Arabia has led to a growing interest in understanding how patients seek health information online. While it is known that digital platforms, such as search engines, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, are commonly used for health information seeking, there is limited knowledge about the specific behaviors of IBS patients in this context and how these behaviors correlate with their self-care activities. This study aimed to explore online health information-seeking behavior and its correlation with self-care activities among patients with IBS in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the use of these digital platforms. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January to July 2023. The survey, available in both English and Arabic, targeted IBS patients aged 16 years or older. The questionnaire covered demographics, general internet usage, online health information-seeking behavior, and IBS knowledge and awareness. In this study, 451 IBS patients completed the survey. Notably, 95.1% of participants were internet users, primarily accessing health information through mobile phones and search engines. The results highlighted a significant correlation between online health information-seeking behaviors and self-care practices (P=0.009) like exercise and dietary adjustments, despite a moderate basic knowledge [standard deviation (SD) 2.26%] of IBS. Symptomatically, 93.3% experienced abdominal pain weekly, yet 63% did not fully meet the Rome criteria for IBS. Common management strategies included hydration, diet modifications, and exercise. About 28.4% visited the emergency room (ER) for severe symptoms, and 20% regularly consulted doctors every 3-6 months. Surprisingly, 80% were unaware of the FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet, often suggested for IBS. The research indicates a rise in digital health literacy among IBS patients in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the need for accurate and culturally appropriate online resources. It suggests that healthcare professionals and policymakers should direct patients to reliable information and address the digital divide to enhance self-care and IBS management outcomes.

Examining the Impact of Brenda Dervin's Sense‐Making Methodology across Different Fields

ABSTRACTBrenda Dervin's Sense‐Making Methodology has had a significant impact on communication, information science, and other fields, with over 18,800 citations on Google Scholar. Researchers over the years, including a recent ARIST review, have studied Dervin's work. However, prior research has not analyzed a single article to see how it has been cited over the years across different fields. In this study, we examine 50 of the 1,766 articles published after the year 2000 that cited her 1983 paper. The research question investigated is, “What is the impact of Dervin's Sense Making Methodology in the twenty‐first century in fields outside of information science?” We found that sense‐making has been applied to social media, academia, and health information seeking, among other related fields. The findings should be useful to scholars interested in information science and methodology. The study also shows that information science is not a siloed field and impacts other fields.

What drives AI-based risk information-seeking intent? Insufficiency of risk information versus (Un)certainty of AI chatbots

This study explored the factors influencing the U.S. public's intent to seek risk information via AI-powered channels, such as ChatGPT. It focused on cognitive and affective pathways that lead to uncertainty about both risk information and AI chatbots in the context of climate change risk. We conducted a comparative analysis to discern the impacts of risk perceptions related to climate change and AI-caused privacy risks on public uncertainty and decision-making regarding the use of AI chatbots. Specifically, we assessed how different risk-related perceptions and emotions contribute to subsequent uncertainty perceptions and decision-making regarding AI chatbot use for climate change risk information. We enlisted 1023 U.S. citizens aged 21–65 via CloudResearch in September 2023. The results reveal that high levels of perceived risk, strong negative emotions, and information insufficiency drive information-seeking behavior through AI chatbots. Perceived privacy concerns about AI technology significantly increase AI anxiety, which is positively associated with perceived uncertainty. Both AI anxiety and perceived uncertainty negatively affect the intent to seek information via AI chatbots. Conversely, perceived trust in AI chatbots significantly increases positive emotional responses, reduces perceived uncertainty, and enhances the intent to seek information via AI chatbots. We also investigated the mediation effects within each study model tested. The findings offer theoretical and practical implications for future studies on the public's adoption of AI services for risk information seeking, influenced by both risk-related and technology-based contexts.

A Proposed Ensemble Approach for Searching Hacking News Semantically

Efficient search of hacking information has been a topic of great discussion in recent years. Many challenges are encountered when searching for this information. In particular, researchers may encounter unfamiliar and potentially challenging terms, ideas, tools, and other items that are unique to hacking. Effective comprehension of synonyms and polysemy is necessary. These reasons serve as the driving force behind our efforts to develop a productive method for semantic hacking information searches. Semantic search, using advanced NLP techniques, has transformed information retrieval by improving search result accuracy and relevance. Unlike traditional lexical methods, neural models like sentence-transformers handle synonyms and polysemy efficiently. However, processing time increases with model size. This paper proposes a novel ensemble semantic search (NESS) approach that aggregates mini or small neural embedding models, leveraging their distinct advantages. Evaluated on a dataset with over 300,000 Hacker News stories, our proposed method significantly enhances ranking quality and retrieval accuracy compared to existing techniques, while requiring half the processing time of the best-performing large model. The findings underscore the trade-offs between model complexity, retrieval accuracy, and processing efficiency, offering insights for optimizing semantic search systems.

Information Technology Support for Athlete Health Monitoring and Medical Diagnosis

The paper uses WSN to monitor athletes’ medical diagnosis information remotely. The aim is to strengthen the monitoring and management of athletes’ medical diagnosis data. The method of wireless sensor node and IPv6 routing based on IPv6 is proposed. The terminal-to-terminal network structure based on IP can carry long-distance transmission and share athlete medical diagnosis information. The monitoring system’s bottom structure design is realized using Contiki technology. At the same time, it also realizes the data acquisition and management in the monitoring system. The component interface is designed based on TinyOS. The design of the wireless client based on GPSR is completed based on GPSR. This paper uses the VanetMobiSim platform to complete a remote monitoring system’s software development and simulation test based on wireless medical diagnosis information. The results show that this system’s medical diagnosis information covers a wide range, and the information search efficiency is high.

Does distance from government hinder enterprises’ OFDI？Evidence from China

This study analyzes the impact of government–enterprise distance on the probability of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) with matched data from Chinese prefecture-level municipal governments, the Chinese industrial enterprises database, and the directory of overseas investment enterprises. We determine that increased distance between the government and enterprises has a significant negative impact on the probability of enterprises’ OFDI. Mechanism analysis demonstrates that increased government–enterprise distance, which causes higher information search and relationship building costs, and decreased accessibility of public service, are the main reasons for this decline.

Coping strategies for combating chronic pain among professional ballet dancers in Cali, Colombia. Qualitative study

IntroductionPain is part of the daily life of ballet dancers. To achieve perfection in the dance, techniques based on repetitive movements that overload different parts of the body are used, which generate pain. The purpose of this study is identify coping strategies used by professional ballet dancers to manage chronic pain. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological design with a population of 17 professional dancers from a ballet company in Cali, Colombia. The Chronic Pain Coping Questionnaire (CAD) and a open interview with guiding questions were applied as research instruments. ResultsThe dancers of the Colombian Ballet Company engage in a physically demanding practice that necessitates continuous movement. The majority of these dancers are under 30 years of age and have been with the company for less than 5 years. Unfortunately, their frequent injuries include sprains, back pain, and disc herniation, often attributed to a lack of strengthening and the imposition of high physical loads. In coping with the pain, the dancers commonly resort to seeking information about their injuries and engaging in self-affirmation of their exceptional abilities. ConclusionsDancers get used to pain to continue in professional dance companies. Coping with pain involves developing strategies for self-affirmation and motivation to continue in their profession.