This study aimed to assess the users’ style of attribution of emotions in information retrieval process based on Weiner’s attribution theory of emotion. The research method in the present research is descriptive and the type of study is practical. The population of this study consisted of MA students of different humanistic science branches studying at Imam-Reza International University. A sample of 72 students was selected. The required information were collected through a questionnaire of attribution style and two researcher-made questionnaires. Results showed that the majority of the users attributed their failure and success in information retrieval to internal causes. Also according to Weiner’s theory, they mentioned ‘effort’ as a factor in their success and ‘inability’ and ‘inadequate effort’ as their main failure factors. Research showed that individuals who attribute their emotions to internal factors are more satisfied with their search. On the other hand, it was found that there is a significant relationship between the overall style of user’s attribution and their style of attribution in information retrieval.

Competitive intelligence is the collection and analysis of information to support strategic decision making for an organisation, as a means to achieve competitive advantages. Identification of information needs is a prerequisite for the subsequent actions and activities in the competitive intelligence process, and, if not done well, optimal intelligence will not be provided. Intending to identify the information needs of university managers in higher education sector, this study addressed the different dimensions of information needs, information sources, and channels used by them. Due to the nature of the subject and research objectives, the research approach was qualitative based on Grounded Theory, an inductive, theory discovery methodology. Twenty-three university managers in Iran were purposively sampled for interviews. It was found that their information needs were mostly about university competitors, university customers and their higher education providers. Their information needs for strategic decisions and actions were about their collaborators in education and information field, effective marketing about product and services, as well as economic, socio-cultural and legal aspects. They need to pay attention to political and economic information in dealing with unexpected topics. Managers obtained information they needed from four types of information sources and channels - human, organisations, open source documents and captured media, and mixed channels. Electronic information sources were considered to be more abundant for them than printed sources. The paper suggests that the findings can contribute to the design, implementation, and development of competitive intelligence information systems that managers and decision-makers are among its major users.

A mind map is an approach to the organisation of the human mind that prepares the ground for thinking. Inspired by the function of the mind in handling a situation, this article reports on an empirical study that evaluated the efficiency of mind map techniques and tools in formulating and refining information needs. The study examined graduate students’ Internet information searching. Two simulated search tasks were completed by participants in two search sessions. The results revealed no statistically significant difference between searching with a mind map and without a mind map, and therefore, no advantage could be found for using a mind map in the search process. Participants were happier with their search session when not using mind maps; mind map might help information need clarification, but it is a barrier to interaction and serendipity retrieval. However, this could be due to the search setting where the mind map had to be used as a separate tool and not an integrated component of the search system. The article also discusses some potential benefits of mind mapping for searching.

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