Information seeking and learning: a comparison of Kuhlthau's information seeking model and John Dewey's problem solving model

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explain how the users' information need could berncompared with a learning, knowledge and research need where the purpose of information seeking isrnto find relevant information in relation to the fulfilment of a specific goal and information need in orderrnto become information literate.rnDesign/methodology/approach - By theoretical considerations and studies of research literature anrnanalysis and comparison of Kuhlthaus's ISP-model and Dewey's problem solving model are presented.rnAccording to epistemological pragmatism information seeking is primarily a process of finding relevantrnand useful information in relation to the fulfilment of a specific research need. This can be accomplishedrnby a combination between rationalistic thinking and action. Therefore the paper stats that pragmatism isrna fruitful epistemological view for library and information science research and practicernFindings - This paper presents, compares, and discusses Kuhlthau's ISP-model and Dewey'srnproblem solving model. First, it is clear that both Kuhlthau and Dewey are focusing on the closernrelationship between thinking and action where both information seeking and problem solving isrnconsidered a learning process. Second, both Kuhlthau and Dewey find that information seeking isrneasier when the problem is more focused or the hypothesis more verified. However, when Kuhlthaurnrather extensively pays attention to the feelings of uncertainty during the ISP, Dewey finds only thatrnproblem solving initiates uncertainty and perplexity.rnPractical implications - This paper may provide guidelines for academic libraries interested inrndeveloping their information literacy program.rnOriginality/value - This paper points out that further epistemological, theoretical and empiricalrninvestigations of the relationship between Kuhlthau's ISP-model and Dewey's problem solving modelrnare necessary. In particular, further investigations of specific user groups of Research Libraries andrntheir information seeking and problem solving are important in order to optimize Research Libraries'rneducational programmes.