Showing 24 results for Information Seeking
Zohreh Gholamhoseinzadeh, Mohammad Amin Erfanmanesh,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (7-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Collaborative information seeking is an interaction among members of a group who purposefully try to access and share joint information. Although collaboration is a key component of information seeking behavior, but most of the studies in this area are focused on individual information seeking behavior and collaborative aspects are considered much less. As a result, there is a need for understanding conceptual features as well as supportive technical methods of information behavior in collaborative activities. Method: The present review article has studied concepts and theories of collaborative information behavior using library method. Results: In this research, firstly, the concept of collaboration is explained and differences with other concepts like communication, coordination and cooperation are explained. Moreover, the concept of collaborative information behavior and collaborative information seeking behavior are discussed from different viewpoints and suggestions are offered for future research. Conclusion: collaborative information behavior is one of the most important concepts in human information interaction studies and it can be known as dynamic activities in a group including searching, combining, publishing and producing information.
Mohammad Ramin Naderi, Yazdan Mansourian,
Volume 1, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study attempts to propose a suggestive model for theorising in the field of Inquiry-Based Information Behaviour (IBiB).
Method: To achieve the research aim, Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory, Dewey’s Constructivist Theory, as well as IBL Pedagogy were analysed. Taking into account the current information behaviour models and theories which are developed based on the so called theories, we employed deductive reasoning to propose our suggestive model. Methodologically, this interpretivist study is done based on library method and implemented qualitative content analysis technique.
Results: Admitting different cognitive competencies in different age-groups as well as the role of active experience in cognitive development, each child needs her own customized cognitive-appropriate experience to be able to engage with the learning process. The specific style and rate of cognitive development makes children unique learners.
Conclusion: The proposed preliminary conceptual model showed that active learning, open inquiry-based practices, and children’s personalized methods for responding to learning and cognitive needs, all have information ethos. And, children’s IBiB determines the extent to which they could succeed in the above processes. Testing this hypothesis, the IBiB theory which explains this phenomenon needs to be developed.
Elaheh Hosseini, Mohammad Amin Erfanmanesh,
Volume 1, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: the current study aims to determine factors which may cause negative feeling such as fear, uncertainty and anxiety during information seeking process. Method: In this review paper, different library resources and databases were searched in the areas of library anxiety, Internet anxiety, computer anxiety, information seeking, information searching and information retrieval to elicit factors which may cause information seeking anxiety. Results: Potential causes of information seeking anxiety were grouped and reviewed in 4 different categories, namely factors associated with information resources, factors associated with computers, the Internet and databases, factors associated with libraries and factors associated with information seeking process. Conclusion: Negative feelings during information seeking process may negatively affect the results of this process. By being aware of the causes of information seeking anxiety, librarians and information systems’ administrators will be in a better position to provide instructions and services which is effective to reduce levels of anxiety during information seeking process.
Shahrzad Nasrollahzadeh,
Volume 1, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In studies of special groups’ information seeking behavior, there is not a complete understanding of pregnant women's information seeking process. The purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of health information seeking behavior of the pregnant women.
Method: This is an applied qualitative method using Grounded Theory approach. Data were collected through semi- structured interviews with 15 pregnant women who were selected from 5 women's hospitals in Tehran. Data was analyzed using three stages of: Open axial and selective coding- used in Grounded theory approach- and a model of pregnant women’s health information seeking behavior was extracted.
Results: five conceptual categories: information seeking motives, barriers, information seeking, information evaluation, and information sharing were the results of three stages of coding, expanded around the main idea of “pregnant women’s health information seeking behavior” to establish a model for this process. Based on the findings, pregnant women's most essential information needs were psychological needs, nutrition, health of mother and fetus, and the ways of childbirth. The most important information seeking barriers were lack of time for searching information, lack of ability in information evaluation, and the high level of difficulty of the books. Physicians were the first and the most important reference in information acquisition and important criteria for information evaluation.
Conclusion: Findings reveal the importance of information acquisition in pregnant women, effective intervention of information professionals in meeting information needs, removal of information seeking barriers, facilitating information seeking process and more attention to information centers seems necessary. Also, results could be applicable to various organizations for women’s health.
Fatemeh Navidi,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (4-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Considering the increasing number of users who interact with online social networks, it can be inferred that these networks have become an essential part of users' lives and play different roles in their everyday life. Therefore, the present study aims to explore the role of these networks in users' everyday-life information seeking.
Method: This research is an applied research with qualitative approach and it was conducted using thematic analysis method. This method includes a semi - structured interview with active users of online social networks.
Results: Results indicate that online social networks play different roles in the users' lives, such as entertainment, education, communication and interactions; accompanied by, news, favorite contents, and up-to-date information; but, these networks face some challenges that affect information seeking behavior of users which compels users to utilize active information seeking.
Conclusion: Richer social capital and diversity of users in an individual's social network leads to the access to more qualitative information which in turn increases the probability of finding the required information and achieving the expected results with the least effort.
Yazdan Mansourian, ,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (9-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: These days, Internet and online databases play a significant role in peoples’ information-seeking behavior, especially for postgraduate students. The kind of behavior seen on the part of those students who get help from online databases to write their theses might be completely different from those who search library sources to get the needed information. This study investigates the information-seeking behavior of postgraduate students of Kharazmi University who are writing their theses.
Method: This study used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Quantitative data were gathered using an information-seeking behavior questionnaire, which was then, analyzed using statistical analysis (T-Test and Friedman-Test). Content analysis and semi-structured interviews were used to analyze qualitative data. The participants were 100 students including 50 male and 50 female students.
Results: Results of analyzing the T-Test for male and female groups showed that there is not any significant difference of girls' and boys' information-seeking behavior. Results of analyzing the Friedman-Test however showed difference in average ratings of information-seeking behavior dimensions. With regard to results obtained from this analysis: pre-existing knowledge confirmation, relevancy judgments, bringing up new thoughts, time and effort for searching information contain maximum to minimum rates in a respective manner. Results of the qualitative data also showed that: most of the students’ problems lie in: seeking for and using the collaborative behavior and collaborative searching, difficulty in finding the related information, language limitations, diversity of goals, limitations the forms of the sources, unfamiliarity with the specific sources, lack of information literacy, and spending so much time to search.
Conclusion: Findings obtained in this study showed that postgraduate students do not have the skills and knowledge needed for using online data. This also indicates their deficiency and lack of information seeking and information literacy skills. So, recognizing the obstacles on the way of knowing and using these online databases and training students for purposeful searching seem to be essential.
Reza Mokhtarpour, Maryam Keshvari,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The aim of this article is to revise the methodological status of some of the most prominent studies and models in the field of Information Seeking Behavior in order to provide Iranian researchers with a brief comparative perception of the field.
Method: A literature review approach is applied to identify the research methods and historical origins of each study related to the realm of ISB.
Results: Research studies suggest that Iranian researchers - in their information seeking endeavors - have been unaware of the methodological tradition of the most prominent studies in this capacity, which are mainly based on the principle of methodological diversity and most of time have been imitating the methodological approach of other researchers in a stereotyped manner.
Conclusion: By deliberating the books written on the subject of study and research methodologies across a wide range of scientific disciplines, one can in a deductive manner, grasp a list of scientific methods in the form of independent researches to test the extent of their capabilities. The main Key to current problems is methodological diversity
Mahdi Mohammadi, Zainab Sapidnameh, Jafar Ebadollah Amoghin,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The present study was conducted to determine health, educational, religious, economic and cultural information needs of nomadic women in Kohkilouyeh city and identifying the way they use resources, their barriers and problems in accessing information, their information priorities.
Methods: This is applied survey conducted using a researcher-made questionnaire and oral interviews with 235 nomadic women. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics through SPSS v.19.
Results: The findings showed that over %60 of samples had primary school degree. The main information need of nomadic women was health information needs (%36.2), and the main motivation for them for access and seeking information was to create a healthier life (%56.2). Among the resources of information, Radio had been used mostly in over %57.9 compared to other resources. The research findings showed that %53.2 of women nomads had a very low familiarity to public libraries as an information center. Respondents stated the most important obstacles to access to information resources impassable roads for commuting, lack of information and communications infrastructure, lack of familiarity with the sources of information, lack of easy access to health, training, cultural and service centers.
Conclusion: It seems that nomadic women are in serious needs with information resources, and especially hygenic and educational information, thus full attention must be paid to them.
Aref Riahi, Nadjla Hariri, Fatemeh Nooshinfar,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Contrary to the fact that information must be accessible to all in every society, it is not obtainable for immigrants and refugees. The aim of this study is to find Information needs and the effective factors on information seeking of foreign immigrants in Iran and finding solution and presenting refining Policies.
Method: Mixed research method was applied. Participants selected from 12 provinces (384 immigrants), were all Afghan and Iraqi legal immigrants. Instrument was a researcher made questionnaire which its reliability and validity was tested and approved. Further, to identify most convenient strategies for immigrants information accessibility ten managers and Policy makers were interviewed to find refining policies.
Result: Findings revealed that most important social, cultural, political and health information needs of immigrants needs extended from: Job (4.02), religion (3071), borders, illegal and legal places (3.81), and diseases (4.05). Afghanistan and Iraq’s TV and radio (3.84) and educational institutions (3.85) had most significant role in securing the information needs of immigrants.
Conclusion: Study shows that the major challenges of Afghans and Iraqi immigrant are accessibility to information to solve Information needs. Substantial portions of these challenges might be resolved by suitable Planning and proper legislation. Also, Information providers could help immigrant by supporting humanitarian outlook and overlooking national origins of people.
Mohammad Hassanzadeh, Reza Hassanzadeh, Zahra Safaei, Omran Ghorbani, Ali Akbar Dastjedrdi, Somayeh Parvin,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (6-2016)
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Aim: Research was carried out as a survey utilizing a researcher made questionnaire. 1149 postgraduate students were selected to fill in the research questionnaire, and 837 questionnaires were sent back. Along with descriptive statistics, independent samples t test was used to examine the difference between groups and Pearson co-efficient to measure correlations of variables.
Findings: More than 60 percent of students evaluated electronic information resources as most valuable and responsiveness to their information needs. More than half of students were only after free search engines, databases and simple searches. Sixtey percent did not formulate their search languages and relied on trial and error to obtain pertinent information. Less than 40 percent of students prefer the databases subscribed by their university. Among different types of electronic documents, electronic papers were most popular amongst students. Most of retrieved documents were used for writing research papers. Seventy percent of students believed that in the case of cessation of electronic resources, their research activities will be hampered. Only 18 percent of students were intended to pay per access to electronic resources and most of them indicated that in the case of disconnection, they will try to find an alternative way of access.
Conclusion: Vis-à-vis the favored situation in science production of the country, in order to fulfill national scientific development strategies, secure access to electronic resources should be guaranteed.
Zahed Bigdeli, Zouhayr Hayati, Gholam-Reza Heidari, Tahere Jowkar,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (6-2016)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Nowadays, Internet is known as an attractive source of health information to manage individual's health. Given the importance of it, this study examined the role of Internet in health information seeking behavior among young people in Shiraz.
Method: This research was a survey which target population were youth Internet users in the city of Shiraz. A sample of 400 were randomly selected using, multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected by a questionnaire.
Results: Most of respondents used the Internet to search health information. Young women were more likely to seek online health information than young men. As well as level of education, the experience and self-efficacy to search the Internet, showed a significant correlation with searching OHI, too. The main goal of respondents to search OHI was to understand their health condition or disease, better understanding of health information provided by physicians and self-medication. The results also showed that respondents have positive attitude towards health information retrieved via the Internet.
Conclusion: There is a high demand of OHI among young people to manage personal health. Undoubtedly, foresight and planning to improve the quality of OHI, efforts to create a reliable health information database and public education to care about assessing the quality of OHI can herald the development of individual health and consequently the health of our community.
Ahmad Yousefi, Zahed Bigdeli, Ladan Mokhberalsafa,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Usually, researchers who have different levels of academic degrees, are different in terms of specialized knowledge. Also, academic degree may affect the information seeking behavior of researchers. Therefore, in this study, the difference of information seeking behavior of researchers with different academic degree for “conducting the research” and “updating scientific information” was investigated.
Methods: Survey method was used to conduct the research. In order to gather data, self made questionnaire was used. We have not sampled. In total, 140 researchers (70%), out of the 200, completed the questionnaires. Data were analyzed with descriptive and analytical statistics methods and were performed using IBM SPSS 22. In order to analysis the data, Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman's tests were used.
Results: Findings showed that the use of “journal articles” (high and very high more than 90%) was a top priority of “PhD and master students” and “PhDs”. In order to access scientific information, “PhD and master students" and “masters/professional doctors” mostly used “communication and consultation with Iranian experts and researchers” (high and very high with 75%) and “personal experiences” (high and very high with 65%). While minimal use of “communication and consultation with foreign experts and researchers” (low and never with 56%) and “participating in foreign congresses” (low and never with 69%) was used by “masters/professional doctors”.
Conclusion: Just in using the "journal articles" was significant difference in order to "update scientific information" and "research" (p<0.05). “PhD and master students”, compared to other levels of education, used “journal articles” more. While, in using the “communication and consultation with foreign experts and researchers”, “participating in foreign congresses”, and “personal experiences”, there was significant differences; So that, PhDs used them more than the others.
Nilofar Barahmand, Maryam Nakhoda, Fatima Fahiminia, Mahin Nazari,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Due to recent attention to health promotion and self-care as one of the prerequisites of health services and intervention programs, health information seeking behavior research has gain increasing importance. Factors such as attention to user centered studies, context and self-care require using of methods and tools that help study people in their natural environment. However, review studies have shown the dominance of quantitative and positivist approaches in health information seeking behavior studies. This study aims at introducing episodic interview as a tool for gathering unique data from peoples’ natural lives and its application in health information seeking studies.
Method: This review article has been conducted by library method. It addresses health information seeking behavior concept and its affecting factors. It also introduces episodic interview and its underlying concepts including narration and narrative interviewing. Further, it investigates implications of applying episodic interview in health information behavior studies and eventually it discusses steps of conducting episodic interview with examples of narrations.
Findings: The strength point of episodic interview is its focus on narration of people about their lived experiences as research data which help researchers study and analyze people in a different way from conventional approaches. Implications of applying episodic interview are: 1.concentration of health information behavior studies on pattern of behavior, 2. health information seeking behavior being interwoven in everyday life, and 3. health information seeking behavior being intentional and purposeful.
Results: Episodic interview help researchers listen to the voices of different groups of people, especially whom their voice is not heard due to sickness and social and cultural conditions, a point which should be considered in designing any information and intervention services.
Mr Zahed Bigdeli, Zahra Pourmosavi,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study attempted to identify Everyday Life Information Seeking (ELIS) and Information Grounds (IG) of Armenians in Tehran .
Methods: The study is of a cross-sectional survey type. The study sample consisted of individuals older than 15 years. Total population was 30,000, of whom 20,000 were over 15 –year-old individuals. Using the Kerjcie– Morgan table, 377 individuals were selected as sample.
Results: Data analysis showed that the kind and amount of use of the Iinformation Grounds were as follows: the home of rlatives and friends (55.5%), workplace (47.8%) and church (47.5%). The results also showed that the Armenians had a positive attitude towards information and its role in everyday life. Most Armenians used Persian websites and Persian-language satellite networks abroad; but they seldom used National Media's Persian-language programs. Armemians obtained most information from various media including books, magazines and satellite networks. They preferred to communicate with other Armenians throught social networks; and believed that public libraries do not consider Armenian culture, and thus, they can not find information about the history and culture of Armenians in public libraries.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that Armenians in Tehran like many other Iranian minorities are deprived of services by public libraries and national media. It is essential for the government to reconsider the issue.
Sara Behimehr, Yazdan Mansourian,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (6-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: considering the significance of cognitive and psychological factors in human-information interaction, this study investigates the role of cognitive biases in academic information behavior of postgraduate students at Kharazmi University.
Methodology: this qualitative research used classic grounded theory as the method. The research population included all postgraduate of Kharazmi University who were at the writing up stage. Twenty-five students were chosen through a purposive convenient sampling process. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed based on the classic grounded theory coding and qualitative content analysis. Eisenberg & Berkowitz information behavior model was used as the framework.
Findings: The results showed that cognitive biases influence people's information behavior and 28 of cognitive biases were identified. Cognitive biases interfere on different six steps of Eisenberg & Berkowitz information behavior model. Biases can play a role in identifying and explaining information needs, selecting information resources, selecting information centers, using information, organizing and sharing information and evaluating the information seeking process.
Conclusions: cognitive biases can affect or be affected by other factors involved in information behavior. Failure in information access and information retrieval, information avoidance and also failure in resolving information needs are some of cognitive biases’ consequences. Cognitive biases should be studied in different contexts so that other aspects can be more thoroughly understood.
Hadi Harati, Fatemeh Nooshinfard, Alireza Isfandyari-Moghaddam, Fahimeh Babalhavaeji, Nadjla Hariri,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The present study aimed at investigating the factors affecting the unplanned behavior of users to use academic library resources and services.
Methods: The present study is considered as being an applied one in terms of purpose ,and it has has been conducted using descriptive-survey method. Research population consist of the students of central libraries at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Shahid Chamran universty of Ahwaz, universities of Tabriz and Shiraz, as well as the Tehran Univrsity. Having determined the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, 700 questionnaires were distributed among the participants and 654 questionnaires have been analyzed applying stratified random sampling method based on the population size. Path analysis and LISREL software have been used in order for data analysis to be carried out.
Results: The results shows that the environmental factors and also the ones associated with technology affect the students’ unplanned behavior as far as using resources and services of university libraries through the situational factor of time are concerned. In addition, the data resources and services have no direct or indirect influence on the incidence of these behaviors.
Conclusion: Libraries should pay a special attention to the factors affecting the clients’ unplanned behavior, especially the ones whose impact has been proven including "environmental factors", "factors associated with technology", and the "accessible time ". This way, it will be possible for the libraries to have an optimized and efficient use of their resources and services. The result of paying attention to these factors will be the greater use of library resources and services, attracted audiences, and an increased level of awareness and information of users.
Mahmood Sangari, Hamidreza Jamali, ,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Understanding collaborative information seeking behaviour requires knowing about personal characteristics, differences between users, and the type of interactions occur during a collaborative behaviour. The aim of this study is to investigate dimensions of collaborative information seeking behaviour of graduate students of Kharazmi University when using a digital library based on easy and difficult task scenarios.
Methods: this was a mixed-method study with 60 (30 pairs) participant randomly chosen from graduate students of Kharazmi University (enrolled in 2017-2018). The sampling technique was purposive random sampling. Participants participated in a test based on easy and difficult tasks of collaborative information seeking using a digital library (Tebyan).
Results: the time spent interacting with peers or librarians was relatively short. Participants in difficult tasks mostly played the role of consultant. Most of information or help requests were of the type of procedural.
Conclusion: the results confirm the important role of librarians in collaborative information seeking and the feasibility of providing human assistant in digital library environment to support users.
Ms Zohre Eftekhar, Ms Soraya Ziaei, Mr Hadi Sharif Moghaddam,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: This paper aims to survey the method of Selecting subject to coping with Information Resources based on the Ellis model in Seminary, study 323 Students in Fars and Bushehr Province.
Methods: The method of this study is a survey with analytical approach. Data collection tools in this study was questionnaire and in order to assess validity (content), and the questionnaire reliability was obtained by Cronbach alpha. Sampling is purposeful; Descriptive and analytical statistical methods such as Spearman's correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests were utilized.
Results: prying mind (2/6), reviewing of information resources (3/13), Sites in the Internet related to subjects or social networks (3/92), Using online databases or weblogs (3/48), Authority (3/7), Studying abstract (2/48), is so important for seminary students.
Conclusion: The results showed that Students of Seminary selected different methods that selected by research population for Selecting subject to coping with Information Resources and its not based on the Ellis Model
Afshin Mohsen, Darioush Afshin, Alireza Rousta,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (11-2021)
Abstract
Objective: The study aims to explain the role of brand equity in increasing market share, based on information seeking behavior and needs in Kish commercial centers.
Method: This is applied exploratory-explanatory qualitative research. Population included branding and economics experts who were selected as a research sample by targeted snowball method of 14 people. To analyze the information related to the semi-structured interview, the content analysis method based on open coding, axial coding and selective coding based on the data theory of the foundation was used.
Findings: The results showed that marketing strategies through 5 elements of product, price, location, promotion, process management. Management factors through two components of leadership and human resource management have added value to the brand of Kish commercial centers. The added value created creates a competitive advantage. Also, environmental capabilities include: Infrastructure, technology, environmental features, security and recreation as background conditions and external factors including political-economic factors, information seeking behavior and information needs through customer information and market information as an intervener. The competitive advantage of Kish commercial centers is affected and ultimately increases the market share or in other words the development of customers and improves the financial performance of these centers.
Results: The results showed that increasing market share is a complex process and is strongly influenced by brand value added, which is affected by marketing strategies and management factors. In addition, in order for Kish commercial centers to be known as a brand, they must first gather the necessary and sufficient information about customers and then the market.
Maryam Bomery, Dr. Reza Karimi, Dr. Rouhallah Khademi,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (5-2022)
Abstract
Objective: Health information on diseases could help prevent the spread and the treatment and is the most vital needs of people in daily life. One health issue that has plagued the world in recent years is the corona virus. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the health information behavior of graduate students at Qom University.
Methodology: Applied descriptive survey method was used. Population was all 3000 graduate students at Qom University. Using Morgan table, sample of 300 students were seleted, out of which 200 studnts answered the questionnaires. Data was collected through the standard Lango questionnaire. Research hypotheses were scrutinized using independent t and one-way ANOVA. Age, gender, place of residence, income and information seeking behavior of graduate students were investigated.
Findings: The most information sources were Internet, Social networks, TV and the family. while the least go to brochures and pamphlets. Althugh, graduate students could obtain corona information from social networks and Internet, nonetheless their active use of corona information is slightly more from traditional sources of television and radio. There was no significant relation of behavior variables in information retrieval, perception in information retrieval, interpersonal interaction in information retrieval, impact of information on disease, active retrieval of information and passive retrieval of information with regard to age, gender and place of residence of graduate students.
Conclusion: Results revealed that the students have health information literacy and could identify and use related health information. In spite of increasing use of new sources such as social networks and Internet, information obtained from traditional sources has been more trusted and used. Non of the variables of gender, age, income and place of residence had any effect on health information seeking behavior of students. All subjects had the same information seeking behavior.
