From Information to Meaning: Confronting the Challenges of the 21st Century Carol C. Kuhlthau Rutgers University Keynote Address I3 Conference 2007

Links between Information Behavior Information Impact Information Literacy

Information Behavior Models of information seeking Information use environments Relevance Sensemaking Everyday life information seeking

Information Behavior Concepts Browsing Scanning Selecting Extracting Berry picking Pathways

Dimensions of information seeking from the users perspective Affective (feeling) Cognitive (thinking) Physical (acting)

Model of the Information Search Process   Tasks Initiation Selection Exploration Formulation Collection Presentation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------→ Feelings uncertainly optimism confusion clarity sense of satisfaction or (affective) frustration direction/ disappointment doubt confidence Thoughts vague-------------------------------------→focused (cognitive) -----------------------------------------------→ increased interest Actions seeking relevant information----------------------------→seeking pertinent information (physical) exploring documenting

Uncertainty Principle Uncertainty is a cognitive state which commonly causes affective symptoms of anxiety and lack of confidence. Uncertainty and anxiety can be expected in the early stages of the information search process.

Uncertainty Principle The affective symptoms of uncertainty, confusion, and frustration are associated with vague, unclear thoughts about a topic or question. As knowledge states shift to more clearly focused thoughts, a parallel shift occurs in feelings of increased confidence. Uncertainty due to a lack of understanding, a gap in meaning, or a limited construction initiates the process of information seeking.

Uncertainty Principle Uncertainty initiates the process of information seeking Corollary Definition Process Constructing meaning Formulation Forming a focused perspective Redundancy Encountering the expected and unexpected Mood Assuming a stance or attitude Prediction Making choices based on expectations Interest Increasing intellectual engagement  

Information Impact Information Goals Task Complexity Information Search Process

Information Impact in: Education Tasks Work Tasks Everyday Life Tasks

Zone of Intervention That area in which an information user can do with advice and assistance what he or she cannot do alone or can do only with great difficulty.

Intervention Questions What is enough? What is intrusive? What is helpful? What is limiting and restrictive? What is inviting and expansive?

Information Literacy Information literacy is the ability to locate, evaluate and use information Information literacy is at the core of what it means to be educated in the 21st century

Guided Inquiry Guided Inquiry immerses students in information seeking as a way of learning Guided Inquiry prepares students for active engagement with information required in all aspects of living and working in the 21st century

Concepts Approach to Information Literacy Locate Library as inquiry lab for information literacy Trails and paths – browsing, monitoring, chaining, differentiating, extracting Types of searches – preliminary, exploratory, comprehensive, summary

Concepts Approach to Information Literacy Evaluate Evaluating formats for reading, listening, viewing and experiencing Structure gives clues for evaluating sources Five Characteristics for evaluating sources quality, expertise, accuracy, currency and perspective

Bridging the Divide Confronting the challenges of the 21st century Innovative approaches for linking information behavior, information impact and information literacy Major contributions of information field