Designers draw on a significant volume and range of information throughout the design process. This could include information on people, materials, markets, processes, etc. However, not all this information is effectively communicated to and used by designers. In order to provide designers with information that is useful, useable and engaging for them, it is important to understand why designers use information, what information they use and when and how they use it. This will be collectively referred to as ‘information behaviour’ in this thesis. There is currently a lack of a holistic understanding of designers’ information behaviour. Through developing a framework for investigation, analysis and reflection on designers’ use and requirements of information, this research aims to provide a better understanding of information behaviour in design, leading to a systematic way to address the key dimensions of information used in a design process. For this purpose, the research focuses on ‘practicing designers’ as key users of information in the real-world practice of design and ‘people information’ as a major type of information used during the design process. An initial framework for addressing key dimensions of information used in the design process is outlined through the analysis and synthesis of relevant literature. The framework is then evaluated and refined through four complementary studies: an interview and questionnaire administered to nine design companies; observation of a design team in a real-world design project; observation of three teams through a design competition; and a survey of designers and design researchers. The outcomes of the studies lead to a refined version of the information framework that includes seven key dimensions and details designers’ behaviour in regard to ‘purpose’, ‘source’, ‘format’, ‘type’, ‘at tributes’, ‘stage’ and ‘intensity’ of people information they use. The research conducted with designers leads to an enhanced understanding of their information behaviour with respect to the seven key dimensions. A new information framework has been created and evaluated; and it is argued that it can be used as a research and education tool to investigate and analyse information used during core stages of a design process. The framework can also assist developers of information tools to make informed decisions on what, how and when to communicate information to designers, ensuring that this information is delivered in a way which has maximum impact on the design process.

Magister Artium - MA / The study investigated the information behaviour of fourth year students of Mzuzu University in Malawi. The study specifically intended to establish the information needs, preferred information sources and information seeking behaviours of fourth year students at Mzuzu University. The study also aimed at ascertaining whether emotions experienced by these students conformed to some of those identified by Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process (ISP) model. The study used the Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process model as a theoretical framework because of its being closer to reality on how students search for information. The target population of the study was seven hundred and fifty two (752) fourth year students belonging to the five faculties of the University (Mzuzu University website, 2013). A mixed method survey employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches was used. The study used the probability sampling method. Specifically, stratified sampling in which students were divided into different strata according to the faculty they belong to was adopted. The study used the sample size of two hundred and fifty four (254) students of which two hundred and forty three (243) responded to the questionnaire. The results of the study revealed that most of the fourth year students (65.4%) needed information for their academic studies. The study also found that most of these students (62.5%) preferred electronic and not printed information sources. Most students indicated that they did not use e-journals (66%), subscription databases (94%) or printed journals (52%). As sources of information, students relied mainly on the Internet (64.6%), search engines like Google (56.2%) and the OPAC (45%). When searching for information, the majority of students did not use truncation (98.3%) or Boolean logic (98.8%).It has also been established that students did not fully conform to Kuhlthau’s ISP model of information behaviour. Some of the obstacles met during information seeking were lack of financial resources as well as lack of essential textbooks and important books. The findings suggest that the students lack information literacy skills and it is recommended that the university should re-examine its information literacy education. It is expected that the findings of this study will assist the researcher and the Mzuzu University library and the Learning Resources Centre to establish more effective and user centred services to meet the needs of their students. It also adds to the body of knowledge on information behaviour of students, especially in Malawi.

Magister Artium - MA / The project examined the information seeking behaviour of Generation Y students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The Internet has evidently become an integral part of this generation’s everyday life. The contributing factor to this is that Generation Y has been brought up in a high technology society. The Internet in conjunction with information and communication technology tools is used by Generation Y for different purposes during information seeking. Internet can be used for communication, acquiring information sources or as channels for disseminating information. Therefore, looked at was the role and impact of the Internet and information technology on Generation Y’s information behaviour; if there was a positive or negative effect on them. Literature has indicated that Generation Y is constantly connected to the Internet, great user of social media and relies on the web for their information needs. This study employed Savolainen’s Everyday Life Information Seeking model (ELIS) and Pettigrew’s Information Grounds theory as theoretical frameworks. The models involve unsystematic ways of acquiring information for daily activities that can be work or non-work related. The study was based on academic and non-academic information needs of Generation Y in order to establish a holistic understanding of their everyday information needs and seeking. The study was carried out at the UWC campus. Also reflected was how the university has adapted in the provision of services that meet the Generation Y student’s information needs. The research was based on mixed method approach, thus combing qualitative and quantitative methods. Findings of the study revealed that Generation Y students at UWC have been exposed to the use of technology at a later stage yet, they revealed similar characteristics as mentioned by different authors from the other parts of the world. The students relied on ICTs and the Internet for all their information behaviour.

This study aims to investigate Saudi female academics' information behaviour (IB) within their work and everyday life contexts. A qualitative research approach was adopted to investigate the range of information behaviour that the research participants engaged in. The data for this study were collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews and diaries. Participants' accounts were then subject to a rigorous thematic data analysis process. The research findings indicated that female academics who participated in this study engaged in three main categories of information behaviour: information acquisition, information avoidance, and information sharing. The motivations and the strategies associated with each category have been depicted in a taxonomy of information behaviour. In addition, a detailed analysis of participants' IB as an action-oriented process has been presented visually, leading to the development of a model that depicts IB as a contextual process.

This thesis reports the findings of an exploratory, ethnographic study of the spiritual journal keeping practices of Catholic university students at the 'Harbour House,' a Catholic student centre and parish operating on the campus of a large, Canadian university. Guided by the question,'How and why do Catholic students keep journals to document their spiritual lives?' it examines journal keeping in the context of Catholic spirituality, the relationships students have with their journals as spiritual documents, and the representations of information found in spiritual journals. Findings are organized under the themes of Content, Materials, Practice, and Structure, and demonstrate that spiritual journal keeping is a deeply personal activity that involves a variety of unique and individualized information practices and behaviours, developed and used in order to better navigate a vast and mysterious spiritual path, and to work towards spiritual growth.

This thesis reports the findings of an exploratory, ethnographic study of the spiritual journal keeping practices of Catholic university students at the 'Harbour House,' a Catholic student centre and parish operating on the campus of a large, Canadian university. Guided by the question,'How and why do Catholic students keep journals to document their spiritual lives?' it examines journal keeping in the context of Catholic spirituality, the relationships students have with their journals as spiritual documents, and the representations of information found in spiritual journals. Findings are organized under the themes of Content, Materials, Practice, and Structure, and demonstrate that spiritual journal keeping is a deeply personal activity that involves a variety of unique and individualized information practices and behaviours, developed and used in order to better navigate a vast and mysterious spiritual path, and to work towards spiritual growth.

Information is a crucial resource for improving organisational performance and ensuring the survival of the organisation. Managers occupy a strategic position and play a pivotal role in processing information and directing the activities of employees. The South African Constitution, Act 108 of 1996, mandates local government to adopt a developmental orientation (promoting social and economic development) in order to improve the quality of life of all inhabitants of the municipality. Local government managers therefore play a significant role in fulfilling this mandate of co-ordinating these developmental activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the information behaviour of managers in the Msunduzi Municipality's business units, in order to adapt or design and deliver an information service that would be effective for the achievement of these managers' job objectives. Specifically, the study focused on the following research questions: 1) What are the information needs of managers? 2) How do managers meet these needs? 3) What are the managers' information source preferences? 4) What are the barriers experienced by managers during information seeking? The study adopted a quantitative approach, in which a structured self-administered questionnaire was distributed via the municipality's intranet, to 56 level four managers. The key findings of the study indicate that the main purposes for which level four managers in the Msunduzi Municipality require information is for keeping abreast of developments in their fields, broadening their knowledge and for decision-making. In terms of managers‟ information seeking patterns, managers spend a significant amount of time actively seeking information. They prefer seeking information themselves, as opposed to using intermediaries. The use of libraries for information seeking is minimal and managers accumulate information which gets deposited in their cognitive storehouses for when the need arises. The internet was by far the information source of preference. Reliability is the main factor that influenced source preference and a lack of time was the greatest barrier to information seeking. The study will have practical implications for the Msunduzi Municipal Library services, as well as for management practice. The researcher makes recommendations for adapting the existing library services according to the outcomes of the current study. Recommendations for further research, including qualitative studies which allow for further probing of the findings of this indicative study, are also made. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

ICTs, including mobile devices, are changing rapidly, and so is the application of these technologies in various disciplines. From the literature it was determined that mobile devices have an influence on information behaviour, whether it be in the form of information seeking, searching, use, sharing, collaboration, or any other information behaviour activity. This study focused on the influence of mobile devices on the information behaviour of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Department of Information Science at the University of Pretoria. Understanding the influence that mobile devices have on information behaviour might improve the effective use of mobile devices in education, and might be of use to library services. A mixed methods approach was followed, consisting of questionnaires for the collection of quantitative data and focus group interviews for the collection of qualitative data. Convenience sampling was used to select undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Department of Information Science. This was followed by a census approach in which all students were invited to participate in completing the electronic self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire collected data on mobile devices and information behaviour, mobile devices and academic studies, mobile devices and clickUP, mobile devices and the Blackboard App and mobile devices and communication. The questionnaire was open from 06 October – 07 November 2013 and 201/923 (21.8%) students responded. Purposive sampling was used to invite focus group participants. The focus groups were guided by four topics: general use of mobile devices to find, access, share and use information; differences in using mobile devices to find, access, share and use information for academic purposes; different mobile devices used for different purposes; and recommendation(s) to other students for using mobile devices for academic purposes. Five focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 32 participants between 20 August and 09 September 2014. It was found that mobile devices have an influence on the information behaviour of students, confirming what was found in the literature. Mobile devices are used more in a general and social environment than in an academic one. They however hold much value for the academic environment. Participants in the study stressed the importance, the advantages, and the potential that the mobile devices have, and still could have in the future. Participants made use of multiple mobile devices in their day-to-day activities. Furthermore, it is clear that information should be available quickly, allowing access from anywhere and at any time in order to satisfy the changing demands of the information user. It may be because of this constant need for information in its various formats, that the lines between the different contexts are being blurred. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Information Science / MIT / Unrestricted

Ever-evolving information technology influences the information behaviour of users. This enforces both academic libraries and other libraries to try by all means to cope with the accelerating rate of information technology. The abundance of electronic and digital resources and tools have been reported to have a strong impact on the information behaviour of researchers (Vilar and Žumer 2011). / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Carnegie Corporation of New York / Information Science / MIT / Unrestricted

This study examined the information seeking behaviour of faculty and use of the Internet at Gulu University Library. The purpose of the study was to answer the following research questions: What has been reported in the subject literature on the information behaviour of faculty with specific reference to the use of the Internet, which research methods need to be used to study the information behaviour and Internet use of faculty? What is the information seeking behaviour of faculty at Gulu University with specific reference to the following: factors driving information seeking? Information seeking preferences? Use of the Internet? And challenges encountered while seeking information? The study used descriptive survey design and the respondents were faculty members from Gulu University. No sampling method was used since the whole population was considered. Data for the study was collected using self- administered questionnaires. The study found that faculty members make considerable use of e-resources available through the Internet for teaching, research, and general work. Faculty members’ self rating of information seeking skills is good regarding WWW search engines, Internet browsers, searching electronic journals and using simple/basic search interfaces. Faculty members at Gulu University slightly prefer seeking for electronic information resources more than print information resources. The majority of faculty members use the Internet frequently and the major points of access are: wireless Internet, personal modems and access provided in the main library. The most searched for Internet information resources are reference materials, e-journals, newspapers and magazines. The most frequently used Internet tools are general search engines and e-mail. Subscription databases such as EBSCOhost, HINARI, AGORA, Cochrane Library, Medline, Emerald and Blackwell are unpopular among faculty members at Gulu University with only Google scholar which is free being popular and used frequently. The most important factors influencing non-use of the Internet by faculty members at Gulu University are: slow Internet speed and unreliable Internet connections. The gaps identified in the Gulu University Library service are: absence of a library website, inadequate current textbooks and inadequate e-resources. It was concluded that the University Library with support from Gulu University management and government should increase bandwidth for faster Internet access. Furthermore they should improve on the maintenance of computers and Internet services, invest in alternative power backup such as solar energy and generators, increase the number of networked computers and integrate information literacy training in the course curriculums at Gulu University. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Information Science / MIT / Unrestricted