Introduction

In the previous chapters we have explored a variety of types of information behaviour ranging from relatively active to more passive, and relatively focused to less directed forms of information seeking and acquisition, as well as serendipitous information encountering.

An important area of research is to explore what factors influence people to adopt particular types of information behaviour. Clearly, different tasks may require different information-seeking strategies, and specific types of information evaluation and use. But there is also evidence that different people may engage in very different types of information behaviour even when faced with apparently similar tasks and circumstances.

Understanding such influences may be helpful in a number of ways. If we can identify factors that may lead to relatively ineffective behaviour, then we may be able to exert counter-influences – whether in the form of training, education and self-understanding, or devising information systems that can help and support people as they search for, evaluate and use information. Research into information behaviour can help us not only identify factors that may constrain the effectiveness of the behaviour of individuals, groups and organizations, but also identify factors associated with particularly successful behaviour which we can use in attempting to lessen the influence of constraining influences.

There is a multiplicity of factors which can affect our information behaviour. Research suggests that an individual's information behaviour may be determined and influenced by a wide range of factors, both internal and external to that individual (Figure 6.1). ‘Internal’ includes:

Factors ‘external’ to the individual refer here to features of the contexts in which they are operating, which include: