In this explorative work, we have focused on understanding information seeking behaviour amongst intranet users. By carrying out a time-based analysis of a week’s worth of log data from a corporate-internal search engine, we have been able to observe patterns of usage as it shifts over days and hours. The results show that numbers of started sessions and activities correlate and follow business...

This paper presents findings from a study of information seeking behaviour by National Health Service patients which explored motivational triggers for infor- mation needs. Previous research has highlighted the importance of contextual elements in users' changing information needs. This paper highlights how those needs may centre on specific events: in particular, a patient's consultation with ...

A two-year study of Web portal use in a large university has found a number of results that can help in management decision making about the use of university Web portals as a communication channel. The study involved the collection and analysis of Web usage statistics for a business information technology school in a large city university over a two-year period. Findings initially indicate tha...

“Serendipity” has both a classical origin in literature and a more modern manifestation where it is found in the descriptions of the problem-solving and knowledge acquisition of humanities and science scholars. Studies of information retrieval and information seeking have also discussed the utility of the notion of serendipity. Some have implied that it may be stimulated, or that certain people...

Introduction. Meta-synthesis methods may help to make more sense of information behaviour research evidence. Aims and objectives. The objectives are to: 1) identify and examine the theoretical research strategies commonly used in information behaviour research; 2) discuss metasynthesis methods that might be appropriate to the type of research studies normally encountered in information behaviou...

Metadata plays a crucial role in a digital library/museum environment. However, the development of metadata is not an easy task. Its formulation starts with analyzing the attributes of collections as well as understanding the user information needs and information seeking behavior. The issue of interoperability also needs to be considered in terms of both semantics and syntax. This paper discus...

Purpose of this paper By describing some of the often ignored aspects of repository advocacy, such as disciplinary differences and how these might affect the adoption of a particular institutional repository, this paper aims to offer practical guidance to repository managers and those responsible for open access and repository policy. Design/methodology/approach The argument uses examples from ...

This article reports the results of a study aimed at identifying the information needs and uses of the informal sector in Uganda. The demographic and business characteristics of these entrepreneurs are highlighted and empirically tested with regard to their information needs. This study has largely employed qualitative research methodologies, such as the critical incidence technique for intervi...

User studies continue to be an important area of library research, as studying the information-seeking behavior of specific user groups has contributed to the development of a variety of library services. On university campuses, research into the information-seeking patterns of humanities undergraduates has influenced the design of information literacy programs and reference services. As well, ...

The Internet and electronic marketplaces have profoundly transformed the travel services industry and challenged the traditional value proposition of travel agencies: What is the reason for their existence if information is abundantly available and transactions can be flexibly conducted in direct buyer-seller interactions on the Internet? Traditional travel agencies are struggling to develop ne...