A conceptual framework for understanding information seeking in open-endedinformation systems

Technologies such as the Internet and World Wide Web are changing our conce ptions of information systems, from who uses them and how they are used, to how the systems are created and who is doing the creating. Everyday users are afforded the same information retrieval opportunities as information sc ientists or librarians by using emerging information systems such as the We b. Yet, defining best practices for assisting users in finding the informat ion they seek remains an unrealized goal. Discovering how users engage in i nformation retrieval and strategy building while searching for information in open-ended systems such as the Web is an area in need 4 exploration if t hese systems are to fulfill their potential as tools for information seekin g and learning. This paper describes a theoretically and empirically based framework for how users formulate and employ information-seeking strategies in open-ended information systems (OEISs). Background information and chal lenges related to OEISs are provided. OEIS theoretical and user perspective s are described. An example based on a recent research study is provided to illustrate use 4 the OEIS information-seeking framework. Implications for practice and research are offered.(1).