Allen Foster

Serendipity and information seeking: an empirical study

“Serendipity” has both a classical origin in literature and a more modern manifestation where it is found in the descriptions of the problem solving and knowledge acquisition of humanities and science scholars. Studies of information retrieval and information seeking have also discussed the utility of the notion of serendipity. Some have implied that it may be stimulated, or that certain people may “encounter” serendipitous information more than others. All to some extent accept the classical definition of serendipity as a “fortuitous” accident. The analysis presented here is part of a larger study concerning the information‐seeking behaviour of interdisciplinary scholars. This paper considers the nature of serendipity in information‐seeking contexts, and reinterprets the notion of serendipity as a phenomenon arising from both conditions and strategies – as both a purposive and a non‐purposive component of information seeking and related knowledge acquisition.

A nonlinear model of information-seeking behavior

This paper offers a new, nonlinear model of information-seeking behavior, which contrasts with earlier stage models of information behavior and represents a potential cornerstone for a shift toward a new perspective for understanding user information behavior. The model is based on the findings of a study on interdisciplinary information-seeking behavior. The study followed a naturalistic inquiry approach using interviews of 45 academics. The interview results were inductively analyzed and an alternative framework for understanding information-seeking behavior was developed. This model illustrates three core processes and three levels of contextual interaction, each composed of several individual activities and attributes. These interact dynamically through time in a nonlinear manner. The behavioral patterns are analogous to an artists palette, in which activities remain available throughout the course of information-seeking. In viewing the processes in this way, neither start nor finish points are fixed, and each process may be repeated or lead to any other until either the query or context determine that information-seeking can end. The interactivity and shifts described by the model show information-seeking to be nonlinear, dynamic, holistic, and flowing. The paper offers four main implications of the model as it applies to existing theory and models, requirements for future research, and the development of information literacy curricula. Central to these implications is the creation of a new nonlinear perspective from which user information-seeking can be interpreted.

A Non-linear Perspective on Information Seeking

This chapter explores human information behavior (HIB) from within a non-linear perspective. The perspective offers a more fully developed framework for HIB in terms of non-linear, dynamic, and complex inter-relationships of behavior, activity, and context. Previously, the preserve of the sciences, the concept of non-linearity, or non-sequential behavior has existed in information science as a generality or passing comment for some years. It was not until recently that empirical research led to the development of a non-linear model of information-seeking behavior. This chapter highlights the nature of non-linearity, discusses recent developments in the field, and suggests some of the implications that arise from this new perspective for the study of HIB.

Serendipity and its study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of serendipity and approaches to its study particularly in relation to information studies. Design/methodology/approach – The origins of the term serendipity are described and its elaboration as an exploratory and explanatory concept in science and the social sciences are outlined. The distinction between serendipity and serendipity pattern is explained and theoretical and empirical studies of both serendipity and the serendipity patterns are explored. The relationship between information encountering is described. Empirical studies of serendipity using Citation Classics and other research approaches in information studies are described. Findings – The discrepancy between occurrences of serendipity in studies using Citation Classics and reported serendipity in philosophy of science, research anecdotes, information encountering and information seeking by inter-disciplinary researchers is highlighted. A comparison between a process model of seren...

Modelling Nonlinear Information Behaviour: Transferability and Progression

Purpose – This paper aims to report on a project aimed at moving Fosters nonlinear model of information seeking behaviour forwards from an empirically based model focused on one setting and towards one that is robustly transferable and enables testing of the model in other information‐seeking situations.Design/methodology/approach – The method utilised recoding of the original dataset, comparison of code decisions, and testing of the code book on a second dataset.Findings – The results of the coding confirm the structure and interactions in version one of the model. The dynamic and nonlinear nature of information seeking is confirmed, as are the core processes and contextual dimensions of the original model with some extension and refinement of coding.Practical implications – Changes to the model include new scales of extent and intensity, refinement of code descriptions, and extension of some elements to include multidisciplinary theories. Collectively these changes enable testing of the model in other ...

Beyond relevance and recall: testing new user‐centred measures of database performance

BACKGROUND Measures of the effectiveness of databases have traditionally focused on recall, precision, with some debate on how relevance can be assessed, and by whom. New measures of database performance are required when users are familiar with search engines, and expect full text availability. OBJECTIVES This research ascertained which of four bibliographic databases (BNI, CINAHL, MEDLINE and EMBASE) could be considered most useful to nursing and midwifery students searching for information for an undergraduate dissertation. METHODS Searches on title were performed for dissertation topics supplied by nursing students (n = 9), who made the relevance judgements. Measures of recall and precision were combined with additional factors to provide measures of effectiveness, while efficiency combined measures of novelty and originality and accessibility combined measures for availability and retrievability, based on obtainability. RESULTS There were significant differences among the databases in precision, originality and availability, but other differences were not significant (Friedman test). Odds ratio tests indicated that BNI, followed by CINAHL were the most effective, CINAHL the most efficient, and BNI the most accessible. CONCLUSIONS The methodology could help library services in purchase decisions as the measure for accessibility, and odds ratio testing helped to differentiate database performance.

Information literacy for the information profession: experiences from Aberystwyth

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on the rationale and key learning processes for students of librarianship and information studies (LIS) at the Department of Information Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the ways in which professional training can incorporate research, and ultimately inform professional practice, and to describe the way in which recent research can be used to shape the curriculum.Design/methodology/approach – A literature review, identification of key principles for curriculum development, and discussion of processes is provided. Key learning outcomes for the course are put forward and the approach taken to them described.Findings – The description and discussion offered outline key questions for the development of courses aimed at future professionals.Research limitations/implications – The paper describes the approach taken to address the needs of professional practice in one course, and from one perspective.Originality/value ...

Communicating effectively in the networked organisation: Using electronic mail in academic libraries

This paper discusses key themes from British Library funded research carried out between 1995 and 1997 into electronic communication in academic libraries in the UK. The research focused in particular on the intra‐organisational use of electronic mail (email) ± that is, on its use by colleagues within the same library organisation for internal activities and collaborative work. The main features of current practice in email use in academic libraries are outlined, and, drawing on experience in the sector and on pointers from the literature, the paper discusses a number of issues of relevance to developing effective network communities in information services.

The impact of information and communication technologies on informal scientific communication: a naturalistic inquiry approach

Purpose – This study aims to accomplish three objectives: first, to investigate the role and impact of information and communication technologies on the practice of science in the UK; second, to examine and characterise changes in scholarly communication activities such as information seeking, publishing and collaboration; and third, to investigate the validity of the current scholarly communication models and to determine whether there is a need for a new model. Design/methodology/approach – The study deployed a naturalistic inquiry approach using semi-structured interviews as a qualitative research tool. A theoretical sample of 40 researchers in four universities were interviewed to gather data regarding informal scholarly communication practices, factors that affect the researchers’ decisions and changes in the scholarly communication system. Findings – The results of the interviews suggest that there are three types of scholars who engage in scholarly communication activities. First, the “orthodox sch...

Unifying information behaviour and process: a balanced palette and the balanced scorecard

Purpose – This paper aims to put forward a “balanced palette” approach using balanced scorecard principles to evaluate the multiple elements of behaviour and process identified in a recent conceptual model developed by Foster and Ferguson‐Boucher at Aberystwyth University.Design/methodology/approach – Building on Foster and Ferguson‐Bouchers conceptual model the paper reports on a tripartite approach applying information behaviour, records management and organization behaviour theory that is used to develop an analytical tool to measure information and process in organizations.Findings – The study identified compatibility between the principles identified in the Foster Ferguson‐Boucher (FFB) model and the principles associated with the balanced scorecard (BSC) technique and Broady‐Prestons earlier work. Bringing together the FFB model and the BSC technique the resulting matrix, the Information Situation Scorecard, permits the assessment of information agent roles in the context of some accepted strategi...