Introduction
In the field of library and information
science (LIS), the concepts of information behaviour and information-seeking behaviour have undergone profound evolution. Early research emphasised information
systems and technologies, but the focus has gradually shifted toward
understanding how individuals need, seek, interpret, and use
information. This transformation from a system-centred to a user-centred
paradigm has also exposed several myths that continue to influence perceptions
of how people interact with information.
Defining Information Behavior and
Information-Seeking Behavior
Information behaviour encompasses all human interactions
with information on how people need, seek, give, manage, and use information in
various contexts (Wilson, 1999). It includes both active and passive engagement
with information sources and extends to how individuals make meaning from information
in their daily and professional lives. Dervin’s (1983) Sense-Making Theory
further emphasises that information behaviour involves bridging “gaps” in
knowledge as users construct meaning within specific contexts.
Information-seeking behaviour, a subset of information behaviour, focuses on the purposeful activities undertaken to satisfy an identified information need. It involves deliberate efforts to locate and retrieve information through formal or informal channels (Kuhlthau, 1991). While information behaviour covers the entire spectrum of interaction with information, information seeking specifically examines the active pursuit of knowledge.
Historical Background: From System-Centred
to User-Centred Paradigm
Historically, LIS research in the 1940s–1960s
was dominated by the system-centred paradigm, emphasising efficiency in
information storage and retrieval. Early information retrieval experiments,
such as the Cranfield studies, viewed information as an objective entity
transmitted from systems to users. Users were seen as passive recipients whose
behaviour was secondary to system performance (Bates, 2010).
By the late 1970s, scholars recognised that
even highly efficient systems failed to meet users’ real needs. This
realisation led to what Wilson (1981) and Dervin (1983) described as the “user
turn.” The focus shifted toward understanding human factors—the motivations,
emotions, and contexts influencing information use. Researchers such as
Kuhlthau (1991) introduced models emphasising cognitive and emotional
experiences during information seeking, while Savolainen (1995) expanded the
scope to everyday life information seeking (ELIS), highlighting how personal
context and lifestyle affect behaviour.
Today’s user-centered paradigm views
information seeking as situated, subjective, and iterative. With the emergence
of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), users are no longer
passive consumers but active participants who create, evaluate, and share
information across diverse platforms (Savolainen, 2024; Wilson, 2024).
Myths Surrounding Information Behaviour and
Seeking
Despite progress, several persistent myths
continue to shape misconceptions about information behavior. These myths
originated from early system-oriented assumptions and still influence
information service design.
|
Myth |
Origin |
Current Understanding |
|
Only objective
information is valuable |
Positivist, system-driven science |
Information value is subjective and
contextual (Dervin, 1983). |
|
More information
is always better |
Focus on information quantity (1960s–70s) |
Information overload reduces effectiveness;
quality and relevance matter (Kuhlthau, 1991). |
|
Objective
information cannot be transmitted out of context |
Linear communication models |
Context gives
meaning; information cannot be separated from interpretation (Wilson, 1999). |
|
Information is
only acquired through formal sources |
Library-centric perspective |
Informal and
social networks are equally critical (Savolainen, 1995). |
|
There is relevant information for every
need |
Rational problem-solving model |
Some needs are
emotional, ambiguous, or unsolvable (Ellis, 1989). |
|
Every need situation has a solution |
Linear view of inquiry |
Information seeking may end without closure
(Wilson, 1999). |
|
Information can
always be made accessible |
Ideal of universal access |
Barriers persist—digital divides and
literacy issues (Savolainen, 2024). |
|
Time and space can be ignored |
Assumed universality of behavior |
Information seeking is situated in specific
temporal and spatial contexts (Savolainen, 2024). |
Conclusion
The study of information behaviour and
information-seeking behaviour has evolved from viewing information as a neutral
object within systems to understanding it as a subjective, contextual, and
interactive phenomenon. This historical shift underscores the importance of
focusing on the user’s experience rather than the system’s performance. Myths inherited
from the system-centred paradigm oversimplified the complexity of human
information use. Contemporary research and innovative library
services, especially those integrating AI, must continue to challenge these myths
by recognising that information value, accessibility, and relevance are defined
by users in context.
This link adds more on information information-seeking behaviour https://youtu.be/qVULinDRPZQ
for more information contact: alimusivakandulo@gmail.com
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