Carol Collier Kuhlthau

Seeking meaning : a process approach to library and information services

List of Figures List of Tables Preface Introduction The Constructive Process in Library and Information Science Theory Learning as a Process The Information Search Process Verification of the Model of the Information Search Process Longitudinal Confirmation of the Information Search Process Uncertainty Principle Roles of Mediators in the Process of Information Seeking Zones of Intervention into the Process of Information Seeking Implementing the Process Approach Information Search Process in the Work Place Process-Oriented Library and Information Services References Author Index Subject Index

The role of experience in the information search process of an early career information worker: perceptions of uncertainty, complexity, construction, and sources

Information workers center on seeking, gathering, and interpreting information in order to provide value-added information as a basis for making decisions and judgments critical to the function of an enterprise. This longitudinal case study investigates changes in perceptions of the information search process of an early career information worker as he becomes more experienced and proficient at his work. Building on Kuhlthaus earlier research, comparisons of the users perceptions of uncertainty, complexity, construction, and sources in information tasks were made over a 5-year period. This is a case study, but it provides insight into issues raised in prior quantitative studies of securities analysts.

Information Search Process of Lawyers: A Call for 'Just for Me' Information Services.

The study reported in this paper is part of a programme of ongoing research based on the model of the Information Search Process (ISP) developed in a series of prior studies by Kuhlthau. This study sought to gain a better understanding of the variety of tasks that involve lawyers as a particular group of information workers, how they use information to accomplish their work, and the role mediators play in their process of information seeking and use. Findings revealed that these lawyers frequently were involved in complex tasks that required a constructive process of interpreting, learning and creating. To accomplish these complex tasks, they preferred printed texts over computer databases primarily because computer databases required well‐specified requests and did not offer an option for examining a wide range of information at one time. These lawyers called for an active potential role for mediators in ‘just for me’ services. ‘Just for me’ services would encompass designing systems to provide a wider range of access more compatible with the process of construction, applying and developing principles of classification that would offer a more uniform system for organising and accessing files, and providing direction in filtering the overwhelming amount of information available on electronic resources.

Students and the Information Search Process: Zones of Intervention for Librarians

The author summarizes recent studies of information-seeking behavior as a constructive process, introduces the concept of diagnosing possible zones of intervention, defines levels of mediation, and suggests a model that includes specific roles for librarians, as well as delineated strategies for productive intervention. Librarians and other information professional involved in the design of reference and instruction programs will find well- supported ideas

From Information to Meaning: Confronting Challenges of the Twenty-first Century

New challenges arise for researchers and practitioners as we move away from concentration on the technology of searching, and turn our attention to using information for problem solving and creativity in the workplace and daily living. This paper explores links between information behavior, information literacy and the impact of information, drawing on the authors research into the users perspective of information seeking and use and the model of the Information Search Process (ISP). The ISP model describes thoughts, actions and feelings in six stages of interacting with information to construct meaning. Central to the ISP model is the finding that information commonly increases uncertainty in the early stages of the search process. Increased uncertainty creates a zone of intervention for intermediaries and system designers that support users in their quest for seeking meaning from information. Innovative approaches to interaction between people and information are needed to bridge the divide between information behavior, information literacy and impact of information in order to address issues of the twenty-first century.

Conceptions of task as a methodological issue: Scandinavians on information seeking and retrieval research (SIG USE).

Conceptions of task as a methodological issue : Scandinavians on information seeking and retrieval research

Enabling systems for inquiry-based learning

The Panel discusses the background, the need, and the requirements for designing and developing enabling information systems to assist students in their inquiry-based learning school projects.

Crossing the divide: Putting information seeking research and theory into computer science practice to make information search systems and services more effective for the user

With Carol Kuhlthau as moderator, we propose a panel of six information behavior researchers with diverse views on operationalizing findings and theoretical positions in information behavior/information seeking research for application in information system design and for re-envisioning library and information services for technological information environments. Whereas computer-science designed information systems and technological environments in libraries are designed for the user with an answer or at least the form of the answer firmly in mind, information seeking research is interested in the user with a complex information need who utilizes an information system or library service for knowledge construction and sense-making. The dilemma is how to communicate information behavior/information seeking research and objectives to those who design the systems. The panelists propose different views on and solutions.

Third space as an information system and services intervention methodology for engaging the user's deepest levels of information need

The paper discusses overview principles of information system and services intervention strategies for students researching a school assignment, then tests these principles in a field study. The principles are based on Kuhlthau’s ISP Model, Cole’s theory of information need and Maniotes’ concept of Third Space. The six-stage ISP Model describes information barriers that arise for students researching a school assignment while they are exploring information in Stage 3; they must transition to a focus formulation in Stage 4, but information overload and other barriers frequently block their thinking. The theory of information need seeks to explain successful Stage 3-to-Stage 4 transition as the student engaging his or her ways of knowing, which will enable focus formulation. Third Space is an intersection zone between the school curriculum and the student’s knowledge and ways of knowing, creating a dynamic conception of the learning space that involves the student’s outside-the-classroom knowledge. A content analysis study illustrates a methodology for operationalizing and testing these concepts and principles in a naturalistic setting.