Mental models theory - Applications for library and information science

This article provides a brief explanation of mental models theory, a summar y of the ways in which mental models theory has been used in library and in formation science (LIS) research, and a description of one phase of a resea rch study where mental models theory has been used as a framework for under standing the cognitive behavior of librarians and public library users as t hey interact during a reference transaction. In this study, perceived diffi culty of a reference question was used as an indicator of mental models hel d by librarians and users. Analysis of thirty-three pairs of interviews sug gested that different mental models may account for differences in percepti ons of the difficulty of a reference question, both before and after the se arch. Suggestions for future research are provided.