In the research model the information seeking process is seen as a dynamic development to reduce uncertainty or increase the value through four stages until the problem is solved. The results showed a surprising progress of the uncertainty stages. The hypothesis that the information seeking process reduces uncertainty through the four stages: 'problem recognition', 'problem definition', 'problem resolution' and 'solution statement' until the problem is solved can be rejected since there is no significant decrease in uncertainty level from stage 1 to 4. The hypothesis about the connection between the individual information seeker and the social and organizational environment was confirmed. A set of the most important core relevance criteria were applied. All kind o f information source types were included. The research developed a cognitive sociology model o f information seeking. The research used a mixed methodology with a combination o f qualitative and quantitative methods which complemented each other. Empirical data from 2002-06 in the social sciences and applied sciences domains were based on 14 case studies and 60 participants from a survey following the case study. The participants were dissertation students focusing on their dissertation from a UK research-led university in different departments and an IT university in Denmark.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:489132 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Kallehauge, Jesper |
| Publisher | University of Sheffield |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/14926/ |
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