Task-based Information Seeking in Different Study Settings

Abstract

Existing studies have presented the relationships between task characteristics and individuals» information seeking and searching behaviors. Some task characteristics are found to have predictable influences on information seeking behaviors. However, most studies took place in lab settings and focused on individuals» interactions with information systems. How a laboratory environment affects individuals» natural information seeking behaviors is open to question. This paper proposes a study investigating the differences between information seeking behaviors in a lab setting where individuals» activities and resources are controlled and in naturalistic settings where individuals have access to all types of sources.