Informatsiooniotsingu

Informatsiooniotsingu is a term borrowed from Estonian that translates to “information seeking”. It describes the process by which individuals or organizations search for, uncover, evaluate, and use information to satisfy a specific need or address a problem. The concept is central to the field of information science, where researchers study how users form information needs, the strategies they adopt to locate data, and the ways in which the quality, accessibility, and relevance of information impact decision making.

The typical information seeking cycle consists of six stages: identification of a need, definition of the problem, search formulation, searching for sources, assessment of found material, and use or integration of the information. These stages overlap and repeat, especially in complex or new domains where the boundaries of the problem are not yet clear. User behavior, cognitive factors, and the design of information retrieval systems influence each stage. For example, the use of search engines, library catalogs, and databases differs across professions and contexts.

Digital technologies have transformed informatsiooniotsingu, introducing sophisticated search interfaces, recommendation systems, and large data repositories. They have also highlighted challenges such as information overload, filter bubbles, and the need for information literacy education. Scholars in library and information science, cognitive psychology, and human–computer interaction examine these challenges and propose methods to improve search effectiveness and user satisfaction.

Practical applications of informatsiooniotsingu range from academic research and business intelligence to everyday consumer decisions. Enhancing user strategies through training, developing better retrieval algorithms, and designing supportive environments are active areas of research that aim to make information seeking more efficient, equitable, and accessible.