Researchers have been interested in how human beings actively search and retrieve information resources for many years. Various information-seeking models have been developed over the years to help explain this phenomena. These researchers include Dervin, Ellis, and Kuhlthau.
Marcia Bates defined information behavior as ” a term to describe the many ways in which human beings interact with information, in particular, the ways in which people seek and utilize information.
Brenda Dervin developed the Sense-making Model (1980s/1990s) which was conceptualized as a gap-bridging process in which the user makes a decision, influenced by information to reach their ultimate outcome or goal. This is model is initiated when the user feels a gap in knowledge or an information need an In order to bridge the knowledge gap, an information need must be filled by something that makes sense to the user, makes sense of the current situation, and moves the user one step closer towards their goal (Wang, 2011). An example of Dervin’s Sense-making model is pictured on the left.
David Ellis (1989, 2005) developed a information-seeking model that was built on eight different features/stages information seekers move through when completing a
search. The eight stages include starting, chaining, browsing, differentiating, monitoring, extracting, verifying, and ending. Starting- initial information gathering which include formal and informal channels. Chaining- following “chains” of citations identified during starting activities. Browsing– searching for information in different sources such as journals and abstracts. Differentiating- filtering the information to customize sources. Monitoring- keeping abreast with new materials through core journals, catalogs, and conferences. Extracting- working through selected sources to identify all relevant materials. Verifying- checking to see if information sources are valid and trustworthy. Ending- final search completion (Wang, 2011). Ellis called his model a behavior model whereas Wilson suggested it was more of a process model in1999. In Wilson’s drawing pictured on the right, Wilson considered browsing, chaining, and monitoring as search procedures (Wilson, 1999).
Carol Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process Model (2004) complements Ellis’s research by attaching to stages of the ‘information search process’ to the feelings that information seekers experience in each stage of the search process. Kuhlthau’s six stages include initiation, selection, exploration, formulation, collection, and presentation. Initiation- User becomes aware of a gap in knowledge and decides to start actively seeking the information. Feeling of uncertainty appears. Selection- User has identified a general topic and are ready to being the search. Feeling of optimism about the search. Exploration- User locates information; however, finds inconsistent or incompatible information. Feeling of confusion/frustration/doubt. Formulation- User forms a focused topic, anxiety is diminished, and information-seeking became successful. Feeling of clarity. Collection- User has gathered pertinent information and organized to write. Feeling a sense of direction/confidence. Presentation– User has completed the research with a paper and presentation. Feeling of satisfaction or disappointment (Kuhlthau, 2010). An example of Kuhlthau’s model is displayed on the right.
Resources
Kuhlthau, C.C. (2010) Information Search Process (ISP) Model. Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences, Third Edition, 1:1, 2586 — 2591
Wang, P. (2011). Information Behavior and Seeking. Information Retrieve Interaction. Interactive Information Seeking and Retrieval. Edited by Diane Kelly and Ian Ruthven. P. 15 – 42.
Wilson, T.D. (1999) “Models in information behaviour research” Journal of Documentation, 55(3) 249-270 [Available at http://informationr.net/tdw/publ/papers/1999JDoc.html]
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