Creating by me, and for me: investigating the use of information creation in everyday life

Abstract

Introduction. We investigate the use of information creation in everyday life, where individuals carry out various commonplace work. While there have been an increasing number of studies on information creation, little research exists on discussing its function and relationship to navigating life activities. Method. To identify the ways information creation facilitates information tasks in the everyday world, we conducted two qualitative studies, each reflecting a particular aspect of our daily lives. We held semi-structured interviews and think-aloud observation in physical grocery stores and on the Pinterest website. A total of twenty-eight participants (eighteen grocery shoppers and ten arts and crafts hobbyists) were recruited for the two studies. Analysis. Transcribed interview data and field notes were analysed inductively. We assigned and refined a series of codes iteratively to identify themes. Results. Findings highlight a variety of circumstances in which participants made use of information creation as an end product to support their ordinary actions (in this case, grocery shopping and idea collecting, respectively). Conclusions. This study gives an in-depth analysis of information creation, underlining its potential functions in efficiently and engagingly aiding the accomplishment of routine activities. We demonstrate the practical and affective value associated with information creation, expanding this concept in information behaviour research.

The informational “cosplay journey” of Star Wars cosplayers in the context of a Facebook group

“…In the current study, members of the Rey Cosplay Community also described using lists for personal information management in costume making. Our findings are a confirmation and expansion of those of Lee et al (2021) where members in a community worked towards shared goals of comprehensive lists and albums designed to assist with costume making within a group. Jones et al (2005) referred to information fragmentation due to multiple information management tools, which hindered reaccessing the collected information.…”

“…Also, the information management method used by the community could inspire cosplayer novices on how to personally organize and manage collected information. Lee et al (2021) explained shopping list-making as a way of helping individuals remain efficient and save on shopping costs. During the crafting process, the use of the Pinterest board aided in inspiration, learning, and emotional stressreducing (Lee et al, 2021).…”

“…Lee et al (2021) explained shopping list-making as a way of helping individuals remain efficient and save on shopping costs. During the crafting process, the use of the Pinterest board aided in inspiration, learning, and emotional stressreducing (Lee et al, 2021). In the current study, members of the Rey Cosplay Community also described using lists for personal information management in costume making.…”

“…However, the saving and retrieving of information was not what the hobbyists actively paid much attention to, for 'the blog itself acted as a form of information organisation, through which text and carefully selected and edited images were organised in an easy to retrieve way' (p. 216). Similarly, Lee et al (2021) discussed the approaches that crafting enthusiasts used to organize information on Pinterest to learn skills for creative projects. Bullard (2016) explored the user-driven classification system of fan volunteers for online fan fiction collections with a library science perspective.…”

Understanding the Information Creation Practices of LGBTQIA+ Community Health Workers

“…Research has examined information creation in education (e.g., Woxland et al, 2017), work (e.g., Huvila, 2018), and everyday contexts (e.g., Lee et al, 2021). A notable study sensitizing our analysis is Floegel’s (2021) study of queer‐created fanfiction.…”