Library users in human information behaviour

Abstract

PurposeAims to study human information behaviour as part of the research project on the interaction of man and the information environment (project VEGA 1/9236/02) and to analyse library users' information behaviour on both sides of the information coin – information usage and information production/publishing.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology was composed of the following steps: pilot studies of students' information‐seeking behaviour; a large‐scale questionnaire survey of users of academic and research libraries; data analyses and interpretations; verification of hypotheses; multiple data sorting; and modelling of user groups.FindingsLibrary users appreciate easy access and well‐organised forms of information, with an emphasis on electronic sources. In their capacity as authors of professional papers, only few subjects considered print and electronic publishing to be equal. Two user types have been derived from the data analysis. Type S manifests pragmatic ways of information seeking and appreciates the low cost and speed of electronic publishing. Type A is characterised by analytic, in‐depth information processing, stressing the prestige and review process of print publishing.Research limitations/implicationsQuantitative methods can form a starting‐point for typologies of human information behaviour. Additional qualitative methods, especially interviews with students, focus groups and observations, are planned for future research into modelling of users' information behaviour.Originality/valueBased on the analysis, two information‐seeking styles have been identified: strategic and analytic. Differences between the search styles suggest that systems designers, knowledge managers and libraries should be open to the creative use and representation of electronic information, taking into account different information behaviours.

Towards a unified model of HCI and ISB for user interfaces

“…Human information-seeking behaviour involves both information processing and interactions with information resources and, nowadays, technological systems. Studies of such behaviours contribute to the design of new systems and tools for organisation of knowledge and utilisation of information in academic and scientific contexts as well as in organisations ( Steinerová and Šušol, 2005 ). Furthermore, information systems are designed to help users retrieve specific items that they require from the volume of information available.…”

Lietuvos Akademinių Bibliotekų Elektroninių Katalogų Naudotojai

“…informaciją, bet ir padaryti ją prieinamą informacijos vartotojams, aktyviai skleisti žinias apie el. informacijos išteklius, mokyti vartotojus jais naudotis..." 6 Tyrimai, kaip informacijos vartotojai naudoja informacijos išteklius, kokia jų jausena ir patirtis atliekant paiešką dažniausiai atliekami apklausos būdu (Carol Carol Tenopir, 2003;Steinerová & Šušol, 2005; Weber& Flatley, 2006 ir kiti). Tokių tyrimų rezultatus nulemia aktyvioji bibliotekos vartotojų dalis, tuo tarpu nedalyvaujantys apklausoje bibliotekos vartotojai lieka neišgirsti.…”

“…Lietuvos tyrėjai, remdamiesi atliktomis apklausomis, akcentuoja informacijos vartotojams žinių apie teikiamas el. paslaugas sklaidos svarbą 33 , rekomenduoja informacinio raštingumo įgūdžių lavinimo mokymus 34 , tarpasmenines konsultacijas ir interaktyvią pagalbą 35 .…”

Gender perspective, information behaviors, and Wikipedia

“…That is, women perceived a higher level of risk, or more concerns over the hassles of online shopping, than did men (Garbarino & Strahilevitz, 2004; Hui & Wan, 2007) despite no gender difference of online experiences (Hui & Wan, 2007). Finally, Steinerová and Šušol (2007) found that women had a higher proportion of licensed resource use to free resource use in comparison to men, which may be related to different gender attitudes toward risks or compliance laws.…”