- Title Pages
- Dedication
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- I Introduction to Human Information Interaction
- 1 Basic Concepts
- 2 What Is Human Information Interaction?
- II Conceptual Constructs and Themes in Information-Seeking Behavior
- 3 Theoretical Constructs and Models in Information-Seeking Behavior
- 4 Information Need and the Decision Ladder
- 5 Five Search Strategies
- III Conceptual Traditions in Human Information Behavior
- 6 Two Generations of Research
- 7 In-Context Research
- 8 Theoretical Traditions in Human Information Behavior
- IV Human Information Behavior and Systems Design
- 9 Interlude: Models and Their Contribution to Design
- 10 Human Information Behavior and Information Retrieval: Is Collaboration Possible?
- 11 Cognitive Work Analysis: Dimensions for Analysis
- 12 Cognitive Work Analysis: Harnessing Complexity
- V An Ecological Approach to Information Behavior: Conclusions
- 13 Enhancing the Impact of Research in Human Information Interaction
- Glossary
- Abbreviations
- References
- Index of Authors
- Index of Topics
Theoretical Traditions in Human Information Behavior
Theoretical Traditions in Human Information Behavior
- Chapter:
- (p.167) 8 Theoretical Traditions in Human Information Behavior
- Source:
- Human Information Interaction
- Author(s):
Raya Fidel
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
A range of theoretical traditions in the social sciences and the humanities has guided research in human information behavior (HIB). This chapter explores how theoretical traditions have been viewed and used in HIB research. After providing an overview of some elementary philosophical concepts, it looks at some basic issues related to epistemology and ontology. It then considers the empiricist stance, the realist stance, and methodological issues. It also discusses misconceptions and contradictions concerning theoretical traditions in HIB research, including positivism, and the conflict between phenomenology and positivism.
Keywords: theoretical traditions, social sciences, humanities, research, human information behavior, epistemology, ontology, phenomenology, positivism, empiricist stance
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- Title Pages
- Dedication
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- I Introduction to Human Information Interaction
- 1 Basic Concepts
- 2 What Is Human Information Interaction?
- II Conceptual Constructs and Themes in Information-Seeking Behavior
- 3 Theoretical Constructs and Models in Information-Seeking Behavior
- 4 Information Need and the Decision Ladder
- 5 Five Search Strategies
- III Conceptual Traditions in Human Information Behavior
- 6 Two Generations of Research
- 7 In-Context Research
- 8 Theoretical Traditions in Human Information Behavior
- IV Human Information Behavior and Systems Design
- 9 Interlude: Models and Their Contribution to Design
- 10 Human Information Behavior and Information Retrieval: Is Collaboration Possible?
- 11 Cognitive Work Analysis: Dimensions for Analysis
- 12 Cognitive Work Analysis: Harnessing Complexity
- V An Ecological Approach to Information Behavior: Conclusions
- 13 Enhancing the Impact of Research in Human Information Interaction
- Glossary
- Abbreviations
- References
- Index of Authors
- Index of Topics
