Multitasking information behavior and information task switching: an exploratory study
| Published date | 01 August 2004 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/00220410410548126 |
| Date | 01 August 2004 |
| Pages | 336-351 |
| Author | Amanda Spink |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Multitasking information
behavior and information task
switching: an exploratory study
Amanda Spink
School of Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, USA
Keywords Libraries, Information research, Information retrieval, Behaviour, Task analysis
Abstract Recent studies show that humans engage in multitasking information behaviors, often
in libraries, as they seek and search for information on more than one information task.
Multitasking information behaviors may consist of library search and use behaviors, or database
or Web search sessions on multiple information tasks. However, few human information behavior
models of seeking, searching or use, or library use models, include considerations of multitasking
information behavior. This paper reports results from a case study exploring multitasking
information behavior by an information seeker in a public library using diary, observation and
interview data collection techniques. The information seeker sought information on four unrelated
personal information tasks during two public library visits. Findings include a taxonomy of
information behaviors; a sequential flowchart of the information seeker’s complex and iterative
processes, including multitasking information behavior, electronic searches, physical library
searches, serendipitous browsing, and successive searches; and that the information seeker
engaged in a process of 17 information task switches over two library visits. A model of
information multitasking and information task switching is presented. Implications for library
services and bibliographic instruction are also discussed.
Introduction
The growing complexity of everyday life and work environments often requires people
to engage in multitasking behaviors. For example, common multitasking behaviors
include talking on the telephone when driving a car, or using multiple information
systems concurrently (Slaney et al., 2003). Multitasking has been identified as an
important area of human behavior research, particularly in home and work
environments that include intensive processes that are increasingly supported by
information systems (MacIntyre et al., 2001; Pesante et al., 2001; Rubinstein et al., 2001).
Informationtasks form part of human behaviorsin everyday life. Researcherssuch as
Savolainen (1995) and Chatman (1991) are building theoretical frameworks that model
the relationshipbetween information behaviorsand the human “way of life or masteryof
life” (Savolainen, 1995). In the realm of human information behavior, the process of
seeking information concurrently over time in relation to more than one, possibly
evolving, set of information tasks (including changes or shifts in beliefs, cognitive,
affective, and/or situational states), is called “multitasking information behavior” (Spink
et al., 2002a). Understanding and modelinghuman information multitaskingprocesses is
a new and important research area for human information behavior research.
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is available at The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister www.emeraldinsight.com/0022-0418.htm
The author thanks the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments on the paper.
JDOC
60,4
336
Received 11 July 2003
Revised 11 November 2003
Accepted 11 November 2003
Journal of Documentation
Vol. 60 No. 4, 2004
pp. 336-351
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0022-0418
DOI 10.1108/00220410410548126
Research has suggested different levels of complexity in relation to information
seeking and searching processes, from single searches on single information tasks to
more complex multitasking and successive seeking and search processes (Spink et al.,
2002a). Spink et al. (2002a) first identified information multitasking processes in four
studies conducted within different information environments, including database
searching, Web searching and library use. They found that people search electronic
information resources for information on more than one information task during single
or multiple search episodes. For example, a user may search the Web for new car
information as they search for health information over more than one search.
Users are often thinkin g and working on multipl e information problems
concurrently, but search systems require them to search sequentially. However, this
form of multitasking information behavior is poorly understood and has little support
from electronic information systems. User interactions with libraries and database
systems are now being studied within the broader context of their information-seeking
behaviors (Rice et al., 2001). However, most IR systems and research focuses on
supporting a user’s searching behavior on one information task during one search
interaction, including query formulation and reformulation (Spink, 1999a, b).
However, human information behavior models and library use models have also
included limited consideration of multitasking information behaviors. Theoretical and
empirical models of human information behavior by Bates (1989), Dervin et al. (1985),
Ellis et al. (1993), Kuhlthau (1991), Vakkari (2001) and Wilson (1999) are limited to
information processes related to single information tasks. Models and studies of library
use are also limited to single information task use of libraries (D’elia, 1980; Emery,
1993; Low, 1972; Mellon, 1984; Sone, 1988; Van House, 1983). Recent digital-library use
models at the social and organizational level are also based on a single information
task approach (Covi and Kling, 1996).
In addition, human information behavior research and models and library use
models are not well integrated. Some researchers have explored both concepts in single
study (Chen and Hernon, 1981; Dervin et al., 1985; Gross, 1999; Gross and Saxton, 2002;
Pelzer and Leysen, 1988). However, human information behavior models do not
generally include consideration of library use variables and issues. Alternatively,
library use studies tend to focus on the use, awareness and accessibility of library
resources and services, digital libraries and library use competence, and are less
focused on library-related human information behaviors.
Within this theoretical context, this paper first examines research on multitasking
within the context of human behavior. We then discuss the findings from recent
studies of multitasking information behaviors in the context of Web and database
searching, and library use. The paper then provides results from an exploratory study
of multitasking information behaviors by an information seeker who sought
information on four unrelated personal information tasks during two public library
visits. Finally, the paper provides a theoretical model of information tasks switching
during multitasking information behavior.
Multitasking studies
Information processing
Cognitive psychologists have an extensive research literature on multitasking,
concurrent information processing, task switching (Burgess, 2000; Pashler, 2000) and
Multitasking
information
behavior
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