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Behavior

Models of information behavior

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Classic IR Model: Paradigm Shift?

Document Query InformationNeed

DocumentRepresentation

Match

Transparent

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Belkin (1984)

• User’s information need: Anomalous State of Knowledge

• Difficult for user to specify information needs

• Interview to elicit problem statements to determine the user’s ASK

• After ASK determined, formulate query in system’s language

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Belkin (1984)

A Cognitive Communication System for Information Retrieval

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Berrypicking (Bates, 1989)

• Berrypicking focuses is on the sequence of searcher behaviors

• Query is evolving• Searchers may use different

search strategies in a single query

• Implications for design of information systems

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Berrypicking

Q0

Q3

Q2

Q1 Q5

Q4

T T

TT T

E

T=thought, Q=query variation, E=exit, =documents, information

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Ellis (1989)

• Information-seeking patterns of social scientists

• Six characteristics:– Starting– Chaining– Browsing– Differentiating– Monitoring– Extracting

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Ellis (1989) – Searching Methods

• Starting: Looking for information in a new area on on a new topic.

• Chaining: Searching by following citation connections between materials.

• Differentiating: Selecting information sources based on their orientation and intended audience.

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Ellis (1989) – Searching Methods

• Monitoring: The continuous monitoring of developments in a field of study

• Extracting: Going through a particular source selectively identifying relevant material from that source

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Ellis (1989)

• Behavioral Model of Information Seeking

Diagrammatic presentation suggested by Wilson, 1999

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Kuhlthau (1991)• six stages in the information

search process• incorporated in three realms

– affective - feelings– cognitive - thoughts– physical - actions

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Kuhlthau (1991)• Stages

– initiation - the first awareness of a lack of knowledge or understanding

– selection - identifying the general topic of the approach to be pursued

– exploration - investigating information on the general topic, to improve orientation sufficiently to form a focus for resolving the problem

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Kuhlthau (1991)– formulation - forming a focus for the

information encountered– collection - extends and supports the

focus and selects information pertaining specifically to the focus

– presentation - completing the search and preparing to present or otherwise use the findings

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Stages in ISP Feelings Thoughts Actions Appropriate task

1.Initiation Uncertainty GeneralVague

Seeking background information

Recognize

1.Selection Optimism Identify

1.Exploration Confusion/ frustration

Seeking relevant information

1.Formulation Clarity Narrowed/clearer Formulate

1.Collection Sense of direction/ confidence

Increased interest Seeking Gather relevant or focused information

1.Presentation Relief/ satisfaction or disappointment

Clearer or focused Complete

Kuhlthau’s model of the information search process

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Dervin - Sensemaking

Situation Uses(Helps)

Gap faced

Gap bridged

Questions answered, ideasformed, resourcesobtained

Strategies usedinfo values sought

DiscontinuityCondition

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Sensemaking moment

Situation

Gap Use (Help)

Circlingtheexperience

Each momentis potentially asensemaking moment

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Dervin (1992)

• Rooted in communications theory• User-centered approach to study of

information seeking and use• Application of sense-making theory

in practice:– Neutral questioning reference

interview-technique

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Wilson (1999)• Fewer models of information

behavior than information seeking behavior

• Information seeking behavior is a consequence of a need perceived by a user

• May involve other people through information exchange

• Introduces concept of information use

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Wilson’s Model of Information Behavior (1999)

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Personal Information Collection

• A personal subset of the information world

•A collection of information sources and channels that we as individuals have acquired, cultivated, and organized over time and in response to a range of stimuli

•Where we turn first when we need information to do a task or pursue an interest

– Mental construct, thing, and process

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Personal information collection is

• A Mental Construct– Against information overload and

fragmentation– For attention and memory– To have information on hand when it is

needed– Other reasons – fun, collecting etc

• Personal information environment• Personal information space• Information farming

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Personal Information Collection is a

– A Set of Things•Content in various forms

(documents, web pages, mail, notes, calendars, address books, etc.)

•Structures for representing and organizing this information (folder hierarchies, piles, lists, etc.)

•Pointers to information (people, links, favorites, etc).

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Personal Information collection is

• A set of processes (embedded in information events)– Selecting– Keeping/ leaving– Re-finding– Maintaining

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EPIC (Exploring Personal Information

Collection) Model Information

events

Personal Information Collection

1. selecting2. keeping/leaving3. re-finding4. maintaining

Link to information user

Link to information use

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Information Events

• When an individual makes contact with an information source or channel – The result of intentional information

seeking, information encountering, or being given information by another person

• The individual will choose to use, ignore, or delay use of the information

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Selecting

• Distinguishing and selecting useful information – The assumption of a personal information

collection is that the individual will select and keep useful information and discard information that is not useful

• How– Personal Anticipate Information Need (PAIN)– Imperfect sensitivity

• False positives • Incorrect rejections

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Keeping/ leaving• Keep

– interventions to acquire and include the information source or channel in the personal information collection• Filing; Storing a document in a folder; Making

a Bookmark or Favorite; Send email to others or to self

• Leave– Leave the information source or channel

in situ• I can find it again when I need it• Part of the mental construct of the personal

information collection– E.g. regularly used website

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Re-finding and maintaining

• Ultimate purpose and critical test of the personal information collection

• Depends upon– Information literacies– Memory– Keeping and maintaining processes

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Maintaining

• Re-evaluating the usefulness of information sources and channels that have been included in the personal information collection – Re-organizing information– Removing false positives– Updating or upgrading taxonomies

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EPIC (Exploring Personal Information

Collection) Model Information

events

Personal Information Collection

1. selecting2. keeping/leaving3. re-finding4. maintaining

Link to information user

Link to information use

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EPIC Model linked to Wilson’s 1999 Model of HIB

Information user

Need

Information-seeking behavior

Information exchange

Satisfaction or non-satisfaction

Information use

Demands on information systems

Success

Demands on other information sources

Other people

Failure

Information transfer

Information events

Personal Information Collection

1. selecting2. keeping/leaving3. re-finding4. maintaining

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EPIC Model linked to Leckie et. al’s 1996 model of the Information-

Seeking Behavior of Professionals

Work roles

Tasks

Characteristics of information needs

Sources of informationAwareness of

information

Outcomes

Feedback Feedback

Info

rmat

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is s

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Information events

Personal Information Collection

1. selecting2. keeping/leaving3. re-finding4. maintaining