Information search process model based on costs and benefits: a behavioural economics perspective
| Date | 02 July 2024 |
| Pages | 1494-1507 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-12-2023-0259 |
| Published date | 02 July 2024 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Records management & preservation,Document management,Classification & cataloguing,Information behaviour & retrieval,Collection building & management,Scholarly communications/publishing,Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance,Information management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
| Author | Jinglin Qi,Zhengbiao Han,Preben Hansen |
Information search process model
based on costs and benefits:
abehaviouraleconomicsperspective
Jinglin Qi and Zhengbiao Han
College of Information Management, Nanjing Agricultural University,
Nanjing, China, and
Preben Hansen
Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholms Universitet,
Stockholm, Sweden
Abstract
Purpose –This study constructed an information search process model based on costs and benefits to reflect
different information search processes under different decisions from a behavioural economics perspective.
Design/methodology/approach –This study used a deductive approach to conceptualise the costs,
benefits, and uncertainties of the information search process. Subsequently, we constructed an information
search process model based on the costs and benefits using graphical reasoning, loss aversion theory, bounded
rationality theory, the satisficing theory of behavioural economics, and the uncertainty changes of information
search process.
Findings –The model revealed four types of user behaviours in the information search process:(1) avoiding
search at the initiation of the search process; (2) exiting in the middle of a search; (3) stopping at the point of
satisficing; and (4) continuing the search until experiencing physical discomfort.
Originality/value –The model constructed in this study treats the information search as a process based on
costs and benefits with uncertainty. This model integrates informationsearch avoidance and stopping into an
information search process model. The model identifies users’bounded rationality by evaluating ideal and real
situations. Moreover, the model explains relative and absolute information overloads and the area beyond the
user’s bounded rationality. These findings could help improve users’information literacy and optimise
information systems.
Keywords Information search, Decision-making, Costs, Benefits, Uncertainty, Behavioural economics
Paper type Conceptual paper
1. Introduction
Understanding a phenomenon is often represented as a model of that phenomenon (Ford,
2015, p. 141). Information needs and search studies aim to build models of information
behaviour to identify how various factors and variables influence information search (Talja,
1997). An information search is a continuous process of meaning construction (Kuhlthau,
1991). Analyses of information search behaviour begin with the information need derived
from an individual’s anomalous state of knowledge (ASK), which arises when an individual
realises that their knowledge is insufficient to deal with an unusually occurring situation
(Belkin, 1980;Dervin, 1998). Human behaviour is often driven by interests and avoidance of
harm. Individuals weigh the costs and benefits of various choices when making decisions and
seek to maximise their interests within the boundaries of rationality (Simon, 1955). Likewise,
information decision-making involves the evaluation of costs and benefits. The cognitive
effort and emotional load expended in decision-making during an information search can be
considered as the cost, whereas the benefits gained by satisfying information needs or
compensating for the ASK status can be considered as the benefit (McGregor et al., 2023).
Therefore, users search for information to obtain benefits; if the information search is
perceived as excessively costly, the search is terminated to avoid the risk of high costs.
JD
80,6
1494
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/0022-0418.htm
Received 15 December 2023
Revised 6 June 2024
Accepted 10 June 2024
Journal of Documentation
Vol. 80 No. 6, 2024
pp. 1494-1507
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0022-0418
DOI 10.1108/JD-12-2023-0259
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