While the behavior of information evaluation has received more attention recently in user studies (e.g., Fitzgerald, 2000; Rich, 2002; Wang & Soergel, 1998; Wang & White, 1999; Wathen, & Burkell, 2002), we still have little theoretical understanding about information evaluation in the information seeking processes. This study aims to provide a theoretical framework for understanding how scholars use information evaluation strategies for the work tasks in their ordinary work environment, with particular reference to the digital information environment. An analysis of scholars' reading behavior of electronic documents has shown that the online information environment has facilitated information sharing and reading activities among scholars (Chang, 2002). Two important research questions are: (1) By what criteria the academic researchers evaluate information objects in the digital formats? (2) Do the academic researchers employ different information evaluation criteria when they engage with different information-seeking tasks? If yes, what is the typical information evaluation strategy in the digital environment?
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