The implied information ‘actor’ – revisiting models of information behaviour through a Meta-Ethnographic approach

Abstract

Introduction. Information use and non-use have often been treated as two unequal concepts favoring information discovery, though information may not always be ‘good’ and wanted. Through a new methodological approach, this paper investigates explicit and implicit notions of the human information actor in five models of information behaviour (IB).

Methods. The meta-ethnographic methodology by Noblit and Hare was employed in a new way to strengthen the systematic and inductive analysis of ‘meanings’ inherent in the five IB-models.

Analysis. Each model was systematically examined according to the seven meta-ethnographic phases and in an ongoing ‘dialogue’ between the model, prior writings about the model and a conceptual framework of information engagement, including information avoidance exemplifying non-use of information.

Findings. The implied actor emerging from the models (still) appeared to be driven by a need to discover, seek, find and use information to solve a problematic situation, hence, positioned as an active or passive information seeker. The outcome and the methodological potentials, barriers and limitations are discussed guiding further research.

Conclusion. The study suggests a new analytical approach to IB research fostering deeper insight into tacit and underlying notions of information behaviour affecting how we understand, study and support humans’ engagement with information.