Information Seeking

Abstract

We often see “information” described as a “resource.” This tends to imply that information is “something” that resides in documents, information systems, or other artifacts. The information is assumed to be constant, unchanging. Its meaning is fixed by its representation in the artifact. A complementary view is to look at information not as an object but as the outcome of subjective construction. Information resides not in artifacts but in the minds of individuals. People actively construct the meaning of information through their thoughts, actions, and feelings. Since individuals typically use information to solve a problem, perform a task, or increase understanding, the social settings in which the information is encountered determines its value and salience. When we treat information as an object, we are concerned with how to acquire the information that we need, and how to represent the information that we have in order to enable access and processing. When we treat information subjectively, we are concerned with understanding the human and behavioral processes through which information is enacted and engaged. A fuller understanding of information seeking as social behavior helps us to design better information processes and information systems. This chapter provides a first step towards that understanding.