Information-Seeking Behavior

Statement of Competency:
Describe the fundamental concepts of information-seeking behaviors and how they should be considered when connecting individuals or groups with accurate, relevant, and appropriate information.

Introduction

Information-seeking behavior refers to the ways in which individuals identify information needs, search for information, and use that information to solve problems or make decisions. Competency J focuses on understanding these behaviors and applying that knowledge to connect users with accurate, relevant, and appropriate information. Within library and information science (LIS), recognizing how users seek information is essential for designing services and systems that align with real-world needs.

Information-seeking is not a linear process. Bates (1989) describes it as a dynamic and evolving activity, where users gather information in pieces through her “berrypicking” model. Rather than following a single search path, users adjust their strategies as they encounter new information. Similarly, Kuhlthau (2007) emphasizes that information seeking involves cognitive and emotional stages, beginning with uncertainty and progressing toward clarity as users refine their understanding. These models demonstrate that information seeking is shaped by both behavior and experience.

In addition to individual behavior, information seeking is influenced by everyday life contexts. Savolainen’s (1995) Everyday Life Information Seeking (ELIS) model highlights how daily habits, values, and life situations shape how people search for and use information. This perspective is particularly important when examining community-based information needs. Fisher and Fulton (2022) further emphasize that individuals often seek information within communities, collaborating and sharing knowledge across multiple sources and platforms.

Information needs themselves are complex and situational. O’Brien et al. (2022) explain that information needs vary depending on context, prior knowledge, and available resources, and may not always be clearly expressed by the user. Wilson (1999) expands on this by identifying environmental, psychological, and social factors that influence how individuals engage with information. These frameworks highlight that information-seeking behavior is shaped by more than access alone; it is influenced by the broader context in which users live and interact.

Through my coursework, I have explored these concepts through the analysis of the pets-as-people information community. In this work, I examined how individuals seek information through a combination of online resources, social networks, and expert guidance, often navigating between veterinary and non-veterinary sources to meet their needs. This experience reinforced that users rely on multiple channels and adapt their strategies based on the situation, demonstrating the importance of flexible and user-centered information services.

Understanding information-seeking behavior allows information professionals to design systems and services that better meet user needs. By recognizing that users approach information with different experiences, motivations, and constraints, professionals can create more effective pathways to access. This competency reflects my ability to apply theoretical models and real-world observations to support meaningful connections between users and information.

Evidence

My understanding of information-seeking behavior has developed through coursework that required me to analyze how individuals and communities identify, search for, and use information. Through assignments in INFO 200, INFO 210, INFO 203, and INFO 287, I examined both theoretical models and real-world applications of information behavior. These experiences allowed me to connect concepts such as user needs, search strategies, and contextual influences to practical information services.

Artifact #1

Information Needs and Behaviors of the Pets-as-People Community (INFO 200: Information Communities)

Justification

This artifact demonstrates my ability to analyze information-seeking behavior within a specific community. In this project, I examined how members of the pets-as-people community seek information related to pet care, health, and lifestyle needs.

My analysis showed that users rely on a combination of sources, including online communities, social media, veterinary professionals, and peer recommendations. These behaviors align with information behavior models such as Savolainen’s ELIS framework, as individuals seek both problem-based and everyday life information depending on their needs.

I also identified that information needs within this community are often divided between veterinary and non-veterinary categories, with overlap occurring in areas such as nutrition and wellness.

This demonstrates that users do not follow a single search path, but instead navigate multiple sources and perspectives to make informed decisions.

This artifact supports Competency J by demonstrating how theoretical models of information-seeking behavior apply directly to real-world community practices and user needs.

Artifact #2

Reference Services and User Interaction (INFO 210: Reference and Information Services)

Justification

This artifact demonstrates my understanding of how information-seeking behavior is addressed through direct user interaction. In this assignment, I explored the role of reference services in identifying and responding to user information needs.

I learned that reference work involves more than providing answers. It requires understanding the user’s question, context, and level of knowledge in order to guide them to appropriate resources. This aligns with models such as Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process, where users often begin with uncertainty and require support in refining their search.

Additionally, this assignment highlighted the importance of evaluating information sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. Reference librarians must consider both expressed and unexpressed needs, adapting their approach based on the user’s situation.

This artifact supports Competency J by demonstrating my ability to connect information-seeking theory to real-world service interactions and to recognize the role of information professionals in guiding users through the search process. In addition to analyzing user behavior, I also examined how information environments influence how users navigate and interact with content.

Artifact #3

Pets-as-People Community Blog and Learning Reflection (INFO 200: Online Learning Tools and Strategies)

Justification

This artifact demonstrates my understanding of how users interact with information within a structured digital environment. In this project, I created and organized a blog-based information space using WordPress, structuring content around the pets-as-people community.

The structure of the blog reflects how users navigate information across categories and formats, moving between posts based on their interests and needs. Rather than following a single linear path, users are able to browse, select, and revisit content, which aligns with Bates’ berrypicking model of information-seeking behavior. This model suggests that users gather information incrementally, adapting their search strategies as they encounter new information.

Additionally, the blog environment demonstrates that information-seeking behavior is influenced by both user preferences and the design of the information system. Users engage with content through a combination of visual, textual, and navigational cues, selecting information based on relevance, accessibility, and personal interest. This reflects the idea that users often seek information across multiple sources and formats, rather than relying on a single pathway.

This artifact supports Competency J by showing how information systems must be designed to accommodate flexible and exploratory user behavior. It demonstrates my ability to recognize how structure, accessibility, and content organization influence how users seek and interact with information, reinforcing the importance of user-centered design in information environments.

Artifact #4

Reference Statistics Database and User Behavior Tracking (INFO 287: Library Services in the Digital Age)

Justification

This artifact demonstrates my ability to observe and analyze information-seeking behavior in practice. In this project, I created a reference statistics database to track how users interact with information services.

The database captures key aspects of user behavior, including point of contact (in-person, email, chat), question type (informational, research, directional), and patron type. These categories reflect patterns in how users seek information and the contexts in which they do so. This demonstrates how information-seeking behavior can be systematically observed and analyzed to improve service design.

For example, the data shows variation in how users access services and the types of questions they ask, highlighting that information-seeking behavior is influenced by factors such as convenience, access, and user needs.

This artifact demonstrates that understanding information-seeking behavior is not only theoretical but also measurable. By collecting and analyzing this data, information professionals can identify trends and adapt services to better meet user needs.

This artifact supports Competency J by demonstrating my ability to apply information behavior concepts to real-world systems and to use data to inform service design and improvement.

Conclusion

Through these artifacts, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of how individuals and communities seek, interpret, and use information across different contexts. By examining both theoretical models and real-world applications, I have learned that information-seeking behavior is shaped by a combination of cognitive, emotional, and contextual factors. My work with the pets-as-people community, reference services, learning environments, and user interaction data demonstrated that users do not follow a single path when seeking information, but instead adapt their strategies based on their needs and experiences.

This competency reinforced that effective information services must be designed with user behavior in mind. Understanding models such as Bates’ berrypicking approach, Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process, and Savolainen’s Everyday Life Information Seeking framework allows information professionals to anticipate how users approach information and where they may encounter challenges. Additionally, recognizing that information needs are not always clearly expressed highlights the importance of flexibility and responsiveness in service design.

As I move forward in my career, I will apply these principles by developing systems and services that are user-centered and adaptable. I will continue to consider how users interact with information across different platforms and environments, ensuring that access points are clear, flexible, and responsive to diverse needs. To remain current, I will engage with ongoing research in information behavior and continue to refine my understanding of how users seek and use information in an evolving digital landscape.

References

Bates, M. J. (1989). The design of browsing and berrypicking techniques for the online search interface. Online Review, 13(5), 407–424. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb024320

Fisher, K. E., & Fulton, C. (2022). Information communities. In S. Hirsh (Ed.), Information services today: An introduction (3rd ed., pp. 41–52). Rowman & Littlefield.

Hirsh, S. (2022). Information services today: An introduction (3rd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.

Kuhlthau, C. C. (2007). Reflections on the development of the model of the information search process (ISP). Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 33(2), 32–37.

O’Brien, H., Greyson, D., De Forest, H., & McDavid, K. (2022). Information needs. In S. Hirsh (Ed.), Information services today: An introduction (3rd ed., pp. 53–65). Rowman & Littlefield.

Savolainen, R. (1995). Everyday life information seeking: Approaching information seeking in the context of “way of life.” Library & Information Science Research, 17(3), 259–294.

Wilson, T. D. (1999). Models in information behaviour research. Journal of Documentation, 55(3), 249–270.