Research and practice

Mark E. Hepworth · P Grünewald · Geoff Walton

24 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Documentation

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Library Science and Information Literacy Information Retrieval and Search Behavior Information Science and Libraries

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical discussion on the nature of research into people's information behaviour, and in particular the contribution of the phenomenological approach for the development of information solutions. Design/methodology/approach – The approach takes the form of a conceptual analysis drawing on the research literature and personal research experience. Findings – The paper brings to the foreground the relative value of different conceptual approaches and how these underpin and relate to the development of information solutions. Research limitations/implications – The paper, due to the breadth and complexity of the subject, serves to highlight key issues and bringing together ideas. Some topics deserve further explanation. However, this was beyond the scope of this paper. Practical implications – A conceptual framework is provided that indicates the value of the epistemic spectrum for information behaviour studies and provides support for action research and participative design. Social implications – Taking a phenomenological approach, and consequently either a first person approach and/or a highly participative approach to research, challenges the relationship between researcher and respondent. It also raises questions about why the authors conduct research and for whom it is intended. Originality/value – The paper makes explicit the underlying philosophical assumptions and how these ideas influence the way the authors conduct research; it highlights the significance of Cartesian dualism and indicates the significance of these assumptions for the development of information solutions. It supports the view that researchers and developers should be open to respondents leading the exploration of their needs.

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References

1968The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research.1994Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation.1991Situated Learning 1967The Social Construction of Reality 1962Cognitive, social, and physiological determinants of emotional state.2001Culture and systems of thought: Holistic versus analytic cognition.2008Introducing Qualitative Research 1997Modelling the information seeking patterns of engineers and research scientists in an industrial environment

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2021Information behavior and practices research informing information systems design 2018Lifeworld as “unit of analysis”2019Self-Portrait, Selfie, Self: Notes on Identity and Documentation in the Digital Age 2020Information-seeking behaviours of teacher students: A systematic review of quantitative methods literature 2021Information-seeking behaviours of teacher students: A systematic review of qualitative methods literature 2021

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