Tiedontarvetta

Tiedontarvetta is a Finnish term widely used in information science to describe the need for information that motivates individuals or groups to seek information. The concept covers both explicit needs—when a person states a specific information requirement—and implicit or latent needs that become apparent during task performance.

In practice, tiedontarvetta is used in studies of information-seeking behavior, user experience design, and library services within Finnish-speaking contexts. Researchers consider how information needs arise from tasks, decisions, uncertainty, or knowledge gaps, and how they change as work or study progresses.

Classification of tiedontarvetta often involves identifying triggers, such as a problem to solve, a decision to make, or an information gap that blocks progress. Researchers may distinguish between immediate needs and longer-term or evolving information needs.

Assessment methods to study tiedontarvetta include interviews, surveys, task analysis, and think-aloud protocols, among others. These approaches aim to uncover what users need, why they need it, and how they search for information to fulfill those needs.

Applications of the concept include informing the design of library catalogs and databases, shaping search interfaces and information retrieval systems, guiding information literacy education, and improving reference services. By understanding tiedontarvetta, information professionals can better anticipate user requirements and support effective information seeking.

Examples of tiedontarvetta include a student needing scholarly sources for a thesis or a patient seeking reliable information about a diagnosis and treatment options. See also information need, information-seeking behavior, and information literacy.