Analyzing Your Own Information Behavior Essay

Hailey Carrell

LIS 5053

Dr. Ellen Rubenstein

February 23, 2018

Introduction:

I have written many papers in my life and done more research than I can even remember,

but I have never thought that I was particularly adept at research. However, since beginning this

course, I have begun to see that is not the case. I see now that my information seeking behavior

actually follows quite closely with some well-researched theories, models, and paradigms. In

particular, I can see myself in Bates’ berrypicking and Kuhlthau’s information search process.

By focusing on a particular information-seeking incident, I am able to examine my behavior

more closely. I can trace my process through both berrypicking and information search process.

Description of Event:

Last semester, I had a strategic plan assignment in one of my classes. We had to pick an

existing library and create a strategic plan for it. If the chosen library had an existing strategic

plan, we were to update and tweak it. If there was not an existing plan, we were to find the

information and put one together. If we could not find all of the required information, we were to

use our textbook to fill in the rest of what was needed. I chose a local public library, assuming it

would be somewhat easy to find the information, but also beneficial to me to know more about

it. However, once I began my search, I realized that it was going to be far from easy. I asked

employees if they knew where I could find strategic plan or budget information, and they all

directed me to the website of the library board. I scoured that site, pulling information from

various documents. I also searched for other public library strategic plans so I could try to

determine what information I was missing from mine. While I had found useful information, I

was still greatly lacking and beginning to worry. As someone with anxiety, I began to question

everything. Did I make the right choice? Will I be able to come up with the right information? I
was worried about this assignment already because it was incredibly important, but this was a

new level of worry. I even considered switching my subject to a library about which I could find

more information. I kept digging through the website, and after what seemed like the thousandth

time of searching, I found the library’s strategic plan. From there, I was able to extract the

information I needed and input the rest that I was lacking. I was relieved that I was able to

include all of the required information.

Analysis:

One model my process seemed to follow was that of Marcia Bates’ berrypicking. Trying

to describe a model that more closely depicts average human behavior, Bates describes this

search as “the query itself (as well as the search terms used)…continually shifting, in part or

whole (Bates 1989, 410).” As I mentioned above, I had difficulties with my search. However, as

I went on, I shifted my phrasing as I discovered what worked best. Throughout this assignment,

and most research papers I write, my focus shifts throughout the process. As I work, my query is

altered by the information I find. I may start with a certain topic or focus in my search, but the

final product goes through many alterations. For this assignment, I began my search focusing on

the big picture. When I could not find a strategic plan, I altered my query by searching for

elements of the plan, such as budget, mission statements, and so on. After this shift in terms, I

began getting results.

Another aspect of berrypicking I can see in this research is that which gives this method

its name; the act of selecting only the “berries” I need. I used multiple sources in order to put

together all of the information I needed. As Bates’ explains, I used “a series of selections of

individual references and bits of information at each stage of the ever-modifying search…[a] bit-
at-a-time retrieval (1989, 410).” For my strategic plan assignment, I had a list of categories I had

to include. I went from source to source, pulling any useful information from each to fit these

sections. This method became especially effective when I began searching for specific portions

of the plan, like the budget, as I mentioned in the previous paragraph.

Another model this information-seeking event followed was Carol Kuhlthau’s

information search process (ISP). ISP “emphasizes the role that emotions play in motivating the

search for information (Case, Given 2016, 153).” This is the process I can relate to the most out

of everything we have studied. I am an emotional person, so it only makes sense that emotions

are so involved in my researching. The strategic plan assignment was very emotionally charged.

It was the final project for this class, so I already felt pressure. It only got more emotional from

there.

ISP includes six stages: initiation, selection, exploration, formulation, collection,

presentation (Kuhlthau 1991, 366). Each of these stages has a corresponding emotion:

uncertainty; optimism; confusion, frustration, doubt; clarity; sense of direction, confidence; and

satisfaction or disappointment (Case, Given 2016, 152-3). Throughout my strategic plan, I

experienced each of these stages. When I initiated my search, I felt uncertain of the assignment

overall. However, once I selected on my library, I began to feel optimistic. I had my subject, now

all I needed were the resources. Then, once I started exploring, I began to feel doubt. I could not

find the information I needed, and doubted my choice and my abilities. When I began altering

my search terms and formulating my topic, I started seeing results, and therefore gained clarity. I

collected all of the information I could now that I had a sense of direction and newfound

confidence. Finally, I was able to present my strategic plan, which was very satisfying.
 As I read about ISP, I immediately saw my own process, especially in terms of my

strategic plan. When I began this analysis assignment, it was not difficult for me to choose an

information-seeking incident that related to this process. As I have mentioned, I am an emotional

person, and my research process is highly affected by that. I found it fascinating that my normal

experience aligned with ISP so precisely.

Conclusion:

Prior to this assignment, I felt that I was lacking in research skills. I tend to bounce

around from source to source, and my emotions are very intertwined with the process. Now that I

have examined my information seeking behavior through the frames of Bates’ berrypicking and

Kulthau’s information search process, I see that I was not giving myself enough credit. Every

individual has their own methods of researching, and I have now found mine.

I relate to Bates’ berrypicking because of my tendency to go from source to source,

picking out the information I need. Where I used to believe I was scatterbrained or unable to

settle on sources, I now see that this is a common practice and considered to reflect average

human behavior. I relate to Kuhlthau’s information search process because of the many stages of

emotion I experience throughout my researching. Before, I thought I was letting my emotions get

the better of me; I was getting too emotionally involved. Now, I see that it is common for

individuals to go through these various stages during their process. This assignment has not only

given me a better understanding of information behavior theories, paradigms, and models; it has

also given me a better understanding of how I do research.

 References

Bates, Marcia J. "The design of browsing and berrypicking techniques for the online search

interface." Online Review, Vol. 13 Issue: 5 (1989), pp.407-424. Accessed February 20,

2018. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb024320

Case, Donald O., and Lisa M. Given. Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on

Information Seeking, Needs, and Behavior, 4th Ed. UK: Emerald Group Publishing

Limited, 2016.

Kuhlthau, Carol C. “Inside the Search Process: Information Seeking from the User’s

Perspective.” Journal of the American Society for Information Science. 42(5):361-371,

1991. Accessed February 20, 2018.