Theories of Information Behavior and Problem Solving
From Jsarmi
These two areas of research run in parallel (show it in literature mapping) and have provided very closely related models. Surprising because the most common model of problem-solving is the "information-processing" model.
Contents |
Objects of Study
What is information behavior? What are information problem solving (IPS) tasks ? The archetypical information behavior is an information question or a case of decision making (e.g what printer to buy) What is problem solving? The stereotypical problem is a puzzle (e.g. the nine-dots problem)
Models
In information science: Nice review in http://informationr.net/ir/9-1/paper164.html Also http://ship.nime.ac.jp/~miwamaki/dissertation02.htm Some IPS task models have been developed for users’ self-searching processes (Kuhlthau, 1992; Eisenberg & Berkowitz, 1995; Marchionini, 1995), Information problem solving (IPS) is:
the active search for and processing of information over a period of time, with specific goals or tasks to be accomplished, and not completely taken for granted.
Other terms such as “information-seeking” (Hert, 1996; Allen, 1996) and “information search” (Kuhlthau, 1992) are used to represent the same concept. 2.2.1.1 Information Problem Solving As a Process
The term IPS was originally coined by Eisenberg and Berkowitz (Eisenberg & Berkowitz, 1995) to present a model of an information-oriented problem-solving approach to library and information skills instruction called the “Big 6.” They proposed that IPS is a process consisting of six stages: (1) task definition; (2) information-seeking strategies; (3) location and access; (4) use of information, (5) synthesis, and (6) evaluation[1].
Similar models consisting of slightly different stages are proposed by several other researchers. For example, Kuhlthau (1985, 1988, 1992) proposes a six-stage model of the “information-seeking process (ISP)” based on a series of empirical studies of high-school and college students. Irving (1985) presents a nine-stage model of “information skills.” Striping and Pitts (1988) propose a 10-step model of a “thinking process” for library research. Eisenberg and Brown (1992) found an “overriding similarity” among these process models and advocates a “common process approach to library and information skills education” (p. 105). Problem-solving: Book review
Simon's own presentation of the history of PS: http://dieoff.org/page163.htm
Factors, processes and stages, approach
Intersections
Relevance? Clues? Interactivity? The term interactivity is defined as: The propensity to act in unison with external objects or other people (Marchionini, 1995).
