informationseeking

Information seeking, sometimes written as informationseeking, is the active pursuit of information to satisfy an identified need or curiosity. It encompasses the methods, strategies, and behaviors by which individuals locate, evaluate, and use information from various sources, including libraries, databases, the internet, media, and social networks. It contrasts with information retrieval, which focuses on the technical process of exposing relevant information within information systems.

Typical information-seeking activity involves recognizing the information need, formulating questions or queries, searching through sources, evaluating relevance and credibility, and integrating findings into a decision or knowledge base. In practice, seekers often engage in iterative cycles, refining questions and strategies as new information is encountered.

Several theoretical models describe information seeking. Kuhlthau's Information Search Process outlines stages from initiation to presentation, emphasizing affective factors and uncertainty. Information Foraging Theory likens information seeking to animal foraging, focusing on perceived costs and rewards of information sources. Other models address information behavior in professional settings, shared information use, and the role of digital environments in influencing search strategies like query formulation and result evaluation.

Information seeking is influenced by task complexity, goals, user knowledge, cognitive load, access to technology, and the design of information systems. It is also shaped by information literacy, credibility assessment, and the ability to synthesize disparate sources into coherent answers. In organizations, information seeking supports decision making, problem solving, research, and learning.

Understanding information seeking informs the design of search interfaces, digital libraries, and educational tools to support efficient and effective information discovery. It is studied across information science, education, cognitive psychology, and human-computer interaction.