Informational balance: slow principles in the theory and practice of information behaviour
| Pages | 687-707 |
| Date | 08 July 2014 |
| Published date | 08 July 2014 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-08-2013-0111 |
| Author | Liz Poirier,Lyn Robinson |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Records management & preservation,Document management |
Informational balance: slow
principles in the theory and
practice of information behaviour
Liz Poirier and Lyn Robinson
Centre for Information Science, City University London, London, UK
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the principles of the Slow Movement
may be applied to information behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach – The study uses three methods: a literature analysis and
synthesis; a Delphi study; and a focus group. All are carried out in accordance with Slow principles, to
assess the value of Slow in the conduct of the research itself.
Findings – Slow principles are applicable to both the theory and practice of information behaviour.
They allow theory to be more realistic by encompassing a broader range of behaviours than those
included in most established models of information behaviour and information literacy, particularly
behaviours relating to temporal and experiential factors. The use of Slow principles in information
practice may help to overcome problems relating to personal information management. The notion of
“informational balance” stems from Slow ideas and is a useful concept for theory and practice.
Research limitations/implications – The empirical parts of the study use small groups of
participants, and the emphasis of the focus group in particular was on everyday information, rather
than on professional or academic information. The results of the study show that research and theory
in information behaviour would benefit form more explicit attention to time facto rs.
Practical implications – The findings may be used in the design of information literacy instruction,
and in encouraging a more reflective approach to personal infor mation management.
Originality/value – This is the first study to examine the applicability of Slow principles in an
information context. It is also original in explicitly applying Slow principles to the research design.
Keywords Information literacy, Individual behaviour, Information seeking, Slow movement,
Time factors
Paper type Research p aper
1. Introduction
The rate at which information is accessed and used has acc elerated alongside the
increasing pace of life. There have been several analyses of the problems resulting
from the rapid consumption of information, in relation to both the increased spe ed of
provision and the increased scale of available resources: for example, Gleick (1999),
Eriksen (2001), Tomlinson (2007) and Bawden and Robinson (2009, 2011a).
One response to the general increased pace of life has been the Slow Movement
which has been described as “organized signs of dissatisfaction with the pace of life in
developed industrial societies” (Tomlinson, 2007, p. 146). “Slow” (with a capital S) can
be traced to 1980s Italy, and specifically to the publication of the Slow Food Manifesto
in 1989 (Petrini and Padovani, 2006). It has since grown beyond its core focus on food to
become a generic term embracing a range of interests and ideas (Honore
´, 2005). More
than 100,000 members worldwide apply Slow principles to any area of life over which
they feel they havelost control, engaging in purposefulreflection about choice. Avariety
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0022-0418.htm
Received 29 August 2013
Revised 17 November 2013
Accepted 21 November 2013
Journal of Documentation
Vol.70 No. 4, 2014
pp. 687-707
rEmeraldGroup Publishing Limited
0022-0418
DOI 10.1108/J D-08-2013-0111
This research was supported by a postgraduate studentship from the Arts and Humanities
Research Council (UK).
687
Informational
balance
of explicit applications of Slow ideas have appeared in various contexts including Slow
Cities, Slow Money, Slow Gardening, Slow Fashion, Slow Parenting, Slow Art, Slow
Design, Slow Schools, Slow Science and Slow Travel. Since changes in communication
and information dissemination are often considered to be a major part of the environment
to which Slowis a reaction, it seemsreasonable to consider explicitlythe further extension
of Slow principles to information.
However, consideration of the possible relationship between Slow principles and
information research and practice has been limited, as set out below, and the study
reported here is the first systematic and explicit examination of the topic. The aim of the
study was to investigate how a Slow perspective can relate to, and impact upon, research
and theorising about information behaviour. It was also intended to explore how a Slow
approach may affect everyday information practices, and have the potential to alleviate
problems relating to contemporary information environments. Given that the Slow
Movement has been applied to all facets of everyday life, this study focused on everyday
and ongoing information behaviour although its findings may also have relevance to
information behaviour research in areas such as education, academia and the professions.
The research questions were:
RQ1. What is a Slow perspective in the context of info rmation?
RQ2. What, if any, are the implications of a Slow perspective for the study and
theory of information behaviour?
RQ3. What, if any, arethe implications of aSlow perspective foreveryday information
practices?
Although the original Slow Food movement was formalised by the publication of a
manifestoin1969,thereisnosinglebody controlling the Slow Movement, nor any
canonical set of Slow principles guiding its development or application. On the contrary,
different Slow principles have emerged in the different contexts in which the concept may
be applied. To give three examples: Slow Food emphasises local, small-scale and ethical
production, support for biodiversity and priority to regional and traditional recipes; Slow
Travel recommends methods of travel which promote a connection with the landscape
being traversed, enjoying the journey for its own sake and even embracing delays, and
engaging the life of local communities; Slow Fashion promotes ethical and environmentally
sustainable production, use of local materials and resources, and support for classic
products with a long lifetime, rather than following rapidly changing trends. It is therefore
not possible to state a priori a detailed set of Slow principles applicable to information
behaviour. However, the following principles may be described as common to all contexts
in which Slow has been applied, and can therefore be taken as the basis for investigation:
.taking control of, and enjoyment in, any and all activities through mindful
experience and reflection, and the making of conscious choices;
.establishing a balance in all activities; often through re-establishing a balance
that has been lost or sidelined by pressures to act and consume quickly; and
.acting as a rational consumer; dealing wi th the increasing number of “things”
(of very diverse nature) available in greater number, and accessible more rapidly,
by creating time and space to engage in consumer behaviour appropriate
to the situation.
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