Immersive information behaviour: using the documents of the future

Abstract

This is the accepted version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link FindingsImmersive documents are likely to have a significant effect on library/information service provision, as it is to expected that novel information behaviours will emerge as these documents become widely used. Studies of immersive information behaviour and practices will be valuable in planning for how library/information services can best provide access to such documents, and may also guide the development of such documents. They may also contribute to the development of information behaviour research generally, and to better interaction between research and practice. Research limitationsSince such documents are not yet in wide use, the conclusions are necessarily speculative. Originality This is the first paper to discuss information behaviour in respect of immersive documents.

Information and the gaining of understanding

“…By the Next Generation series, these had been supplemented by the holodeck, and immersive virtual environment which allowed participants to fully experience a situation, and thereby arguably gain a fuller understanding of it [19]. In the real world, a similar development may be seen, as an integration of ubiquitous media, multi-sensory interfaces, and interactive narratives leads to a new generation of 'immersive documents' [20,21]. It may be that it is the development of such technologies which will enable information systems to play a fuller part in developing the understanding of their users.…”

Being Fluent and Keeping Looking

“…These can be clearly seen to be adapted for the prevailing information environment and context of the time: digital literacy for the internet, meta-competence for the knowledge economy, metaliteracy for interactive social media, etc. Necessarily, they change as the technological environment develops; perhaps the next requirement will to deal with immersive information environments and documents [11], and the new forms of information behaviour which they will bring [12], by developing the idea of 'immersive literacy'.…”

An environmental scan of virtual and augmented reality services in academic libraries

“…Robinson (2015a, b) published articles which used the terms “immersive document” and “immersive information behaviour” to describe the radical new kinds of documents made possible by emerging technologies such as VR and AR, as well as the associated resulting behaviors which would be exhibited by their users. Her concept extends beyond the current possibilities of VR to include multisensory data such as touch and smell; however, current VR and AR equipment provides a glimpse of what such documents of the future will look like.…”