Everyday life information seeking behaviour in relation to the environment: Disposable information?
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe one of the preliminary results from interviews conducted as part of a PhD study into examining the role of peer and family influences on information-seeking behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
The principal method of data collection was 38 semi-structured critical incident interviews, based on an interview guide and a short questionnaire to collect factual data. Some social network analysis of interviewees’ information sources is considered. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis were used to code the interview transcripts. A naturalistic approach to everyday information seeking is taken.
Findings
One of the preliminary findings of this research is that the notion of a new type of information has emerged – disposable information. A new type of information-seeking behaviour is also suggested here for disposable information – disposable information seeking. Disposable information is task specific and likely to only be required by an individual on a one-off basis, causing different everyday life information seeking (ELIS) patterns to emerge. Ultimately, people are only prepared to expend effort to get quality information if they perceive a value or further, continued use of that information.
Research limitations/implications
Because of the research location and participant population, the results may lack transferability. Further research into this area is advised.
Practical implications
The paper has implications about how people may search for and use information in certain situations where information is perceived as relevant to a particular task but unlikely to be needed in the future.
Originality/value
This paper introduces the new concept of disposable information and disposable information-seeking behaviour.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
I wish to acknowledge the Aberystwyth Post-graduate Research Studentship fund and the Department of Information Studies, Aberystwyth University, for their joint funding of my PhD, and the contributions of my PhD supervisors, Professor David Ellis and Dr Allen Foster, for their support and continued assistance.
Citation
Mawby, J., Foster, A. and Ellis, D. (2015), "Everyday life information seeking behaviour in relation to the environment: Disposable information?", Library Review, Vol. 64 No. 6/7, pp. 468-479. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-10-2014-0120
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited