Study Of Information-seeking Behavior Research Articles

The Role of Technology in Online Health Communities: A Study of Information-Seeking Behavior

This study significantly contributes to both theory and practice by providing valuable insights into the role and value of healthcare in the context of online health communities. This study highlights the increasing dependence of patients and their families on online sources for health information and the potential of technology to support individuals with health information needs. This study develops a theoretical framework by analyzing data from a cross-sectional survey using partial least squares structural equation modeling and multi-group and importance–performance map analysis. The findings of this study identify the most beneficial technology-related issues, like ease of site navigation and interaction with other online members, which have important implications for the development and management of online health communities. Healthcare professionals can also use this information to disseminate relevant information to those with chronic illnesses effectively. This study recommends proactive engagement between forum admins and participants to improve technology use and interaction, highlighting the benefits of guidelines for effective technology use to enhance users’ information-seeking processes. Overall, this study’s significant contribution lies in its identification of factors that aid online health community participants in the information-seeking process, providing valuable information to professionals on using technology to disseminate information relevant to chronic illnesses like COPD.

Association Between Socio-Economic Characteristics and Information Seeking Behaviour of STRVs Growers of Odisha

The study was conducted purposively in the state of Odisha with a view to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics of STRVs (Stress Tolerant Rice Varieties) growers and their overall information seeking behaviour. The sample size covered 210 respondents from 3 districts & response was obtained from each individual respondent with the help of a structured interview schedule pretested with 10 per cent samples other than the respondents of the study. The fi ndings of the study revealed that majority of the STRVs growers were middle-aged (53.82%) and 30.95 per cent had middle school education. The majority (50%) of respondents were having small land holding size, 29.05 per cent respondents were involved in Agriculture+ horticulture both, majority (45.24%) had 10 – 20 years of farming experience, 41.91 per cent of the respondents had annual income of Rs 50,001 to 1,00,000, majority (73.81%) had medium social participation and 59.05 per cent had medium extension participation. The detailed study of information seeking behaviour of the respondents showed that in case of Personal localite information sources own family members o ccupied the highest mean score 2.738 a nd ranked fi rst followed by neighbour farmers having mean score 2.728, in personal cosmopolite sources krishak sathi occupied the highest mean score 2.219 and ranked fi rst followed by VAW having mean score 2.133 and in case of impersonal cosmopolite mobile occupied the highest mean score 2.585 and ranked fi rst. Education, family type, family size, land holding, experience, annual income, social participation and extension participation had a positive and signifi cant association with the information seeking behaviour of respondents

Information seeking behaviour of faculty members of agricultural universities in Karnataka: A case study

Information seeking behaviour of faculty members of agricultural universities in Karnataka: A case study - IJLSIT- Print ISSN No: - 2582-1555 Online ISSN No:- 2456-9623 Article DOI No:- 10.18231/j.ijlsit.2019.007, IP Indian Journal of Library Science and Information Technology-IP Indian J Libr Sci Inf Technol

Smart Phone Devices as Search Tool: A Comparative Study of Information Seeking Behavior among Rural and Urban Readers

The speedy development of Smart Phone Devices (SPDs) and its usage among information seekers have significantly increased over the past 5 years. In order to assess the effectiveness of SPDs in accessing the information has been studied among the two different information-seeker categories from rural and urban areas. 232 respondents from both the regions are selected randomly which is consisting 120 respondents from respective categories. It’s found that urban readers spend more time on SPDs than the rural. Rural information-seekers more interested in entertainment oriented information rather than intellectual based information. Urban readers seek more information on academic and intellectual based information than entertainment. The study reveals that rural readers have less awareness over the important websites and apps which may increase their effectiveness over accessing valid information in solving the information-need purpose.

Why do people google movement disorders? An infodemiological study of information seeking behaviors.

Millions of people worldwide everyday search Google or Wikipedia to look for health-related information. Aim of this study was to evaluate and interpret web search queries for terms related to movement disorders (MD) in English-speaking countries and their changes over time. We analyzed information regarding the volume of online searches in Google and Wikipedia for the most common MD and their treatments. We determined the highest search volume peaks to identify possible relation with online news headlines. The volume of searches for some queries related to MD entered in Google enormously increased over time. Most queries were related to definition, subtypes, symptoms and treatment (mostly to adverse effects, or alternatively, to possible alternative treatments). The highest peaks of MD search queries were temporally related to news about celebrities suffering from MD, to specific mass-media events or to news concerning pharmaceutic companies or scientific discoveries on MD. An increasing number of people use Google and Wikipedia to look for terms related to MD to obtain information on definitions, causes and symptoms, possibly to aid initial self-diagnosis. MD information demand and the actual prevalence of different MDs do not travel together: web search volume may mirrors patients' fears and worries about some particular disorders perceived as more serious than others, or may be driven by release of news about celebrities suffering from MD, "breaking news" or specific mass-media events regarding MD.

Music information seeking behaviour as motivator for musical creativity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the connection between musicians’ information seeking behaviour and the creative process in music, providing a framework for understanding the role of information needs satisfaction in musical creativity. A number of studies in information science literature have been carried out attempting to model cognitive, affective, behavioural and contextual factors associated with music information seeking behaviour. However, only few studies have addressed the relationship between information seeking behaviour and musical creative activities such as composition, performance and improvisation, listening and analysis. Design/methodology/approach – The focus of this paper is to provide a framework for the study of information seeking behaviour for the purposes of satisfying musical creativity information needs, combining the theoretical basis of an established model of information behaviour developed by Wilson and the theoretical perspectives of a music creative thinking model proposed by Webster. The key features of the two models are synthesized in a unified model of information seeking behaviour for musical creativity and enriched with research findings identified in the literature of both musical information seeking and musical creativity. Findings – The proposed conceptual framework offers an integrated interpretation of the combinations of information needs, information resources and environmental/personal barriers, which enable musical creativity. In the authors’ approach “musical creativity” is treated as a musician’s aim or ambition or drive for expression and is influenced by the way musicians seek information for that purpose. Therefore, musical creativity is an intentional behaviour which acts as motivator for information seeking and is affected by the available information and the musician’s information seeking profile. The current study include three important findings: first, the design and development of music library and information services for musical creativity; second, the development of music information literacy skills for creativity; and third, the information seeking behavioural perspective for universal musical creativity, and the implications for cultural musical heritage diffusion around the world. Originality/value – An integrated information seeking behaviour model which includes musical creativity is developed through the synthesis of two already existing approaches, that of Wilson for information seeking behaviour and that of Webster for creative thinking in music. The present conceptual study presents a three stage pattern or process for modelling information seeking for musical creativity: the process initiates with the intention-motivation for creativity, then proceeds to information seeking behaviour and then concludes with the musical creativity outcomes. This is the first study that seeks to understand the relationships between creativity and information seeking behaviour.

Information Seeking Behavior among Horticultural Scientists in Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Venkatramangudem

The paper focuses on the study of Information seeking behavior among Horticultural Scientists in Horticultural University, Venkatramangudem, India. Their preferences regarding various formats of information sources (Print and electronic information sources) have been explored through quantitative survey. This study employed a structured questionnaire which was distributed to scientists in various teaching and research departments of the Horticultural University, Venkatramangudem, selected for the study.

A Study of Information Seeking Behaviour of Faculty in Government Medical Colleges of Karnataka

Information is regarded as the basic need of every human being in addition to air, water, food and shelter. It is an important ingredient for the socio economic and healthy development of a nation. The study has identified the importance of information particularly in the field of medial sciences. It is observed that the study on information needs of faculty in Government Medical colleges of Karnataka emphasizes that the existing medical college library infrastructure in terms of collection, services and other facilities are more to be strenghthened.

Health-Information Behavior: An Initial Validity Portfolio for Active and Passive Measures

The study of information-seeking behaviors takes on particular importance when considered within the health context, where the process of information seeking can save lives. When individuals implement preventative health-care behaviors in the present, they increase the probability of saving their own lives in the future. However, the benefits of preventative health-care behaviors are irrelevant when the public is unaware of such information. Current literature indicates that there are two types of information behavior: active and passive. Active information behavior involves intentional physical behaviors, while passive is comprised of strictly psychological, sometimes unintentional, processes. The following article reports the initial validity portfolio for measures of both active and passive information behavior.

Music, Musicians, and Information Seeking Behavior: A Case Study on a Community Concert Band

While several studies in the literature have addressed music information seeking behavior from the perspective of hedonic motives, (e.g. entertainment oriented), music information can also be used for utilitarian purposes, by providing amateur musicians the necessary tools to improve their skill and become better in their practice. This paper provides a user study of information seeking behavior targeted at amateur musicians, based on an empirical survey conducted on participants recruited from a community concert band (N=147). The paper builds a framework for music information seeking based on Wilsons’ macro model of information behavior in order to understand information motives and needs, perceived importance of information needs when seeking information, as well as obstacles and barriers in information seeking. Results highlight the utilitarian aspect of music information seeking and contribute empirical evidence in the literature, both from the perspective of designing music information spaces, as well as incorporating them in the music education process.

Information Seeking Behavior of the Ulama in Relation to Preaching and Counseling Roles in Nigeria

The study of information seeking behavior has over the years attracted the attention of information professionals, resulting in numerous studies conducted with a view to understanding why people seek information, how they seek it, and the problems they encounter. While the information seeking behavior of several professional groups has been studied, an important and influential group of professionals, Muslim clerics (Ulama; sing.--Alim) has been totally neglected. Thus, the main objective of this study was to investigate the information seeking behavior of the Ulama in a developing country. The study investigated such questions as how do the Ulama in Nigeria seek information to perform their preaching and counseling roles? What search strategies do they deploy? Is there a relationship between demographic factors and information seeking patterns? The study used the survey research method. The target population was made up of 973 Ulama dispersed within twenty-seven Local Government Areas of Borno State in Nigeria. A proportional stratified random sampling technique was used to arrive at the sample size of 281. The study used a questionnaire to collect data which was subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The study found out that the Ulama consult different sources and resources for different roles. For purposes of preaching, the Ulama mostly consult their personal collections to use resources such as the Qur’an, Hadith, and commentaries by other scholars. However, when performing a counseling role, they consult secular resources and informal channels of information such as council of Ulama, colleagues, or friends and relatives. The study also found out that the Ulama deployed different search strategies to identify and locate information when using public and institutional libraries, information and communication technology facilities, or informal channels. The study has also established significant relationships between demographic factors and search strategies adopted. Finally, the study identified the similarities and differences between the information seeking behaviors of the Christian clergy and the Ulama.

National study of information seeking behavior of academic researchers in the United States

AbstractAs new technologies and information delivery systems emerge, the way in which individuals search for information to support research, teaching, and creative activities is changing. To understand different aspects of researchers' information‐seeking behavior, this article surveyed 2,063 academic researchers in natural science, engineering, and medical science from five research universities in the United States. A Web‐based, in‐depth questionnaire was designed to quantify researchers' information searching, information use, and information storage behaviors. Descriptive statistics are reported. Additionally, analysis of results is broken out by institutions to compare differences among universities. Significant findings are reported, with the biggest changes because of increased utilization of electronic methods for searching, sharing, and storing scholarly content, as well as for utilizing library services. Generally speaking, researchers in the five universities had similar information‐seeking behavior, with small differences because of varying academic unit structures and myriad library services provided at the individual institutions.

Science vs. Social Science: A Study of Information Seeking Behavior and User Perceptions of Academic Researchers

Science vs. Social Science: A Study of Information Seeking Behavior and User Perceptions of Academic Researchers

A study of information seeking behavior of graduate students in continuing education program by utilizing of information horizon concept

A study of information seeking behavior of graduate students in continuing education program by utilizing of information horizon concept

The application of cost—benefit and least effort theories in studies of information seeking behavior of humanities scholars: the case of Jewish studies scholars in Israel

The study investigated the process of information channel selection of Jewish studies scholars in Israel according to two theoretical frameworks, the 'cost—benefit ratio' that focused on the quality of the information provided by the channel and the 'least effort principle' that focused on the accessibility of the channel. The study sought to identify which of the two parameters, quality of information or accessibility of the channel, was the decisive one when selecting an information channel. In order to further understand the underlying principle behind scholars' choice of information channels participants were asked about the obstacles they face when searching for information. Four obstacles were stipulated in the structured questionnaire: (1) cost; (2) distance, when the item can only be found at a distant location; (3) unfriendly interface; and (4) time that it takes to get hold of a copy of the desired item. Findings showed that, in general, participants' information channel use was not affected by the obstacles encountered in the information seeking process and that the quality of the information was the decisive factor in choosing an information channel.

Patient information needs: pre- and post-consultation

This paper presents findings from a study of information seeking behaviour by National Health Service patients which explored motivational triggers for infor- mation needs. Previous research has highlighted the importance of contextual elements in users' changing information needs. This paper highlights how those needs may centre on specific events: in particular, a patient's consultation with their doctor. Patients initiate information seeking to assess whether they need clinical intervention, in preparation for the patient-doctor consultation and to verify the diagnosis or treatment stemming from that consultation. The study has revealed that having confidence in health practitioners is one key motiva- tion for information seeking. Another is a desire to use health service resources judiciously, efficiently and effectively.

정보추구행태 모형의 연구 경향

본 연구는 정보추구행태 모형을 제시하고 있는 기존 논의들을 대상으로 이들의 연구경향들을 개관하고 분석함으로써 향후 정보추구행태 연구의 방향점을 논의하고자 하는 시도이다. 본 연구에서는 기존논의들을 정보추구행태의 영향요인 모형, 과정모형, 스타일/패턴모형의 3가지 연구유형으로 대별하였으며, 이들 모형들을 방법론/이론적 틀, 정보추구 맥락, 연구대상/주제분야, 모형 특색 등 9가지 측면에서 분석하였다. 기존 연구의 한계를 극복하기 위한 한국적 연구전략은 연구대상의 확대뿐 아니라, 정보추구가 가지는 복잡다양성과 다차원성을 포함하는 총체적인 연구접근이 필요하다. 더불어, 한국적 정보추구 현상을 설명하는 실제에 기반한 이론들을 개발할 필요가 있다.

Investigating information-seeking behaviors of primary care physicians who care for older depressed patients and their family caregivers: a pilot study

Objective – To describe preliminary findings from a study of information-seeking behaviors of primary care physicians who care for elderly and depressed patients, and the correlation between what is sought versus what is provided to the patient and (or) caregiver. Setting – Physicians in two large ambulatory primary care practices throughout urban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who take care of geriatric patients. Methods – Structured interviews, with common questions, will be conducted with 12 primary care physicians to determine patterns of information-seeking behaviors. Environmental scans of physicians' offices for evidence of their existing information behaviors will complement the information obtained from the interviews. Results – This pilot study provides an analysis of the resources primary care physicians use to seek information to provide to patients and caregivers. Analyses show types of information sought, time spent seeking information, and methods used to find information given to patients. Conclusions – With mounting evidence of the Internet being used for patient self care, it is essential to understand if primary care physicians understand the scope and breadth of information readily available to their patients. The primary care physician needs to be aware of the types of information made available to their patients and the caregivers who are inclined to obtain information for the patient.

Desirable search features of web‐based scholarly e‐book systems

PurposeTo examine what search capabilities are desirable in web‐based scholarly e‐book systems.Design/methodology/approachTo present the author's opinion and interpretation about what search capabilities are desirable in web‐based scholarly e‐book systems through investigating studies of information seeking behavior and exploring current multimedia and hypertext techniques.FindingsThe findings are several desirable browsing and known‐item search features of web‐based scholarly e‐book systems.Originality/valueThe author's suggestion on the implementation of a dedicated, user‐oriented and user‐friendly interface, which includes the search features recommended in this paper to unleash the power of multimedia and hyperlinks.

Discovered by chance: The role of incidental information acquisition in an ecological model of information use

The role of information which is incidentally or accidentally acquired has been neglected in the study of information-seeking behavior. The study reported in this article focused on “incidental information acquisition” as a key concept and investigated the information-seeking behavior of 202 older adults, aged 60 and over, from both metropolitan Melbourne and rural areas in the Australian state of Victoria. The approach to the study was ecological in the sense that a picture was built up of information seeking in the context of the lives of the people in the sample, both individually and collectively. A particular and unusual focus of the study was the role of telecommunications, especially the telephone, in information seeking. The implications for society's systems of information provision are discussed, together with ramifications of the finding that older people will be slower than other groups to accept computer-based sources of information for everyday life. Everyone has some set of habits or routines for keeping his internal model of the world up to date…. We have friends, relatives, work associates, and acquaintances to whom we talk regularly and with whom we exchange news and views. We have habits of reading and watching and listening to public vehicles of communication—newspapers, television, radio, magazines and books. These are not random, but patterned activities…. [I]nformation is in part acquired because it is deliberately sought…. It is also found where it is not specifically sought, as an accidental concomitant of routine activities with other purposes or as pure accident.… [I]t is clear that we could describe individual patterns of information-gathering activity, both where the search for information was the primary motive and where it was incidental….(Wilson, 1977, pp. 36–37).