Shifts in information-seeking strategies in information retrieval in the digital age: Planned-situational model

Introduction. The digital age brings changes to information retrieval systems, users, information, and the environments in which users interact with systems. That also poses challenges for users to effectively retrieve information to accomplish their tasks and goals. Argument. This paper presents the planned-situational model that illustrates how plans and situations co-determine users’ selection of information-seeking strategies and shifts in information-seeking strategies in their information retrieval process in the digital age. The major components of the model include: levels of user goals, levels of tasks and their dimensions, personal information infrastructure, the social-organizational context, information retrieval systems, plans and their dimensions, situations and their dimensions, and information-seeking strategies consisting of interactive intentions and retrieval tactics. Elaboration. This model is developed based on existing general interactive information retrieval models, influential user-oriented approaches in information seeking and retrieval, specific models related to interactive information retrieval, as well as empirical interactive information retrieval studies in different types of digital environments including online, public-access, catalogueues, online databases, Web search engines, and digital libraries. Conclusion. This model enables researchers to understand the nature of information retrieval. It also clarifies and integrates some of the key concepts related to information retrieval research. The planned-situational model can offer suggestions for the design of interactive information retrieval systems to support multiple information-seeking strategies and shifts in these strategies. It can also help researchers determine the system role and user involvement in supporting shifts in information-seeking strategies.