Seekobtain

Seekobtain is a neologism used to describe the combined activity of seeking information or resources and obtaining them. The term is not widely standardized and its precise meaning varies across contexts; it often functions as a shorthand for an end-to-end cycle from discovery to acquisition.

Etymology and usage context: Seekobtain is a portmanteau of the verbs seek and obtain. Its exact origin is unclear, but it appeared in online discussions and some professional writings in the early 21st century. In some domains, it is used to articulate a two-step workflow where first potential sources are identified and evaluated, and then access or ownership of those sources is secured.

Domains and interpretations: In information retrieval and data acquisition, seekobtain can refer to the process of locating data sources and then obtaining data under appropriate licenses or permissions. In procurement and supply chain contexts, it may describe identifying suppliers and obtaining goods or services. In user experience or product design, it can describe aligning user intent to seek information with the system’s means of providing or delivering that information.

Variants and reception: Variants such as “seek and obtain” exist, but there is no consensus on a formal definition. Critics note that the term can be vague or redundant with established concepts like information retrieval, data acquisition, or procurement, depending on usage.

See also: information retrieval, data acquisition, procurement, sourcing, information-seeking behavior.