Ch 1-introduction

Introduction to Information
Behaviour
Dr. Othman A.Obeidat // BAU // SCHS // LIM //
2020 - 2019

Chapter – 1
Introduction to Information
Behaviour
3/17/2020
2 Dr. Othman Obeidat // LIM // SCHS // BAU //

Introduction to Information Behaviour
1. Introduction
❖ This book is about an activity that pervades every aspect of our lives.
❖ Constantly as we traverse the landscape of people, things and places
making up our lives – and even as we dream – we are constantly
processing information.
❖ Information is the raw material of knowledge: used effectively it can
lead to wisdom
❖ It is the intellectual equivalent of our food.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ And just as our eating habits and nutritional intake can be good or
bad, with
❖ concomitant good and bad effects on our physical health, so can the
quality of information we acquire, and the effectiveness with which
we process it,
❖ affect the quality and effectiveness of our intellectual health.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ We are constantly bombarded with information – and
misinformation.
❖ The ability to seek out quality information and to subject it to careful
critical scrutiny is more important than ever.
❖ More than ever we live in an information-rich environment, with
online access to vast stores and the ability of all of us easily to
contribute to these stores.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ But whilst we may all be incredibly information-rich, this does not
equate to being knowledge-rich.
❖ The intensity and scope of research into information behaviour has
expanded considerably since the 1960s when research interest in
how people go about finding information began to take off.
❖ Since then the use of qualitative to complement quantitative research
approaches has grown, as has the scope of the research field more
holistically to embrace not only the seeking of information but also
its evaluation and use
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ as well as other kinds of information-related activity such as
information avoidance.
❖ The contexts in which information behaviour occurs – and the types
of information included in research studies.
❖ have also grown in scope to include information behaviour relating to
social media
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ everyday and leisure information use to complement more traditional
contexts such as academic, health and commerce and more formal
types of recorded information.
❖ Parts 1 and 2 of this book attempt to map out major themes relating to
what information behaviour is and what we know about it.
❖ However, despite the volume and range of research studies into this
complex phenomenon.
❖ the substantial progress made over the years in our understanding of
it, much remains to be learned.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ In particular, we need to develop robust understanding based on a
strong combination of quantitative and qualitative studies.
❖ These, it is hoped, will help us to develop better information systems
capable of minimizing the contribution of computers (enabling them
to support us by doing what they are better at), and
❖ maximizing human capability by increasing our understanding of our
own information needs and processes (so that we can optimally
exploit machine and human capabilities in interaction).
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ Part 3 of the book addresses how best we can develop new
understanding via a range of approaches to research, and explores the
issue of the relationship between theory and practice.
❖ Information behaviour research may help improve the awareness of
information users, information providers and information system
developers of how we can maximize the quality and effectiveness of
the way information is presented, sought, discovered, evaluated and
used.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ To do this effectively, we will need a symbiosis of theory and practice.
❖ This book is based on academic research, which reflects the
background of its author.
❖ But it also attempts to forge links with practice in terms of drawing
out practice-based implications in relation to its key themes. and
❖ includes a discussion on the relationship between theory and practice
in Chapter 8.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ This book is intended as a primer for students and practitioners
interested in information behaviour.
❖ It aims to provide a gentle introduction to key concepts, issues and
themes along with descriptions of key research studies that are
illustrative of these.
❖ It is therefore intended to complement more comprehensive and
detailed treatises of the field such as, notably, excellent Looking for
Information.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ The study of information behaviour has expanded rapidly in recent
years, as have conceptions of what it embraces and how it might best
be investigated.
❖ Models and theories abound, focusing on different components and
aspects of information behaviour and illustrating different approaches
to its study.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ This book attempts to provide a clear path through this complex maze
by:
(a) Establishing a firm conceptual base by clearly defining the components and
processes making up information behavior, and
(b) Being highly selective in the models and theories introduced, in order more
clearly to focus on what in the view of the author are generic key concepts
and ideas essential for a deep understanding of the field.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ The book is structured to move from the basics to the more complex,
and employs the pedagogical device of ‘Think!’ boxes which invite the
reader to think about concepts as they are introduced in order to
consolidate their understanding of them before moving on to consider
more complex issues.
❖ These ‘Think!’ boxes are offered as a means of encouraging the reader
actively to engage with an issue before reading what the author has to
say about it.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ This is intended to have one of two possible effects:
✓ If you already have a view about the issue, this will enable you briefly to review
your thoughts prior to reading those of the author so that you can readily
compare to see if you agree or disagree; or
✓ if you do not already have a view on the issue, this will highlight what it is about
the issue, in the author’s view, that is problematic, or at least not as
straightforward as may first appear, causing it to require further thought to
resolve or clarify.
3/17/2020

1. Introduction
❖ Each chapter concludes with a round-up of what has been covered,
❖ highlighting where appropriate implications for professional
information practice.
❖ The reader is also referred to more detailed treatments of the themes
and issues discussed in the chapter.
3/17/2020

Ch 1-introduction

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Ch 1-introduction

Similar to Ch 1-introduction (16)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Ch 1-introduction