Information Horizons
A Framework for Understanding and Exploring Information Behavior
Diane H Sonnenwald editor Jenna Hartel editor
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:7th Jul '26
Should be back in stock very soon
Information Horizons is the updated, definitive resource for the Information Horizon Theory and the Information Horizon Interview method. Embracing behavioral, cognitive, and social aspects of information, the theory and method have been applied globally in information behavior research and education.
The theory posits that information behavior is social, material, temporal, dynamic, situational, and contextual, and that information behavior can be conceptualized as Information Horizons, which include affordances and constraints on information behavior. It provides the foundation for the Information Horizon Interview method that combines semi-structured interview questions with a graphical elicitation technique in which the participant draws a visualization, or map, of their Information Horizon, which illustrates their information seeking behavior in specific situations and contexts. This volume incorporates recent developments in scholarship, technology, and methodology, updating the theory and method and providing new insights and guidance for their use in research and teaching. An expert in context citation analysis shows how the theory and method have been incorporated in research since its inception. Case studies authored by renowned scholars present personal reflections on their experiences conducting Information Horizon Interviews with different populations, with a level of detail not possible within a standard research report. Extensive teaching and learning examples, with a focus on hands-on exercises, demonstrate how the theory and method are used to teach information behavior concepts. Essays by students recount their experiences learning about the Information Horizon Theory and conducting Information Horizon Interviews. The book concludes with two detailed Information Horizon Interview guides for different study populations.
Information Horizons will be of interest to researchers, educators, students, and practitioners worldwide interested in researching and teaching information behavior.
"Scholars and students will be impressed by this comprehensive introduction to one of the most important theoretical contributions to Information Science to date. Understanding information behavior using the Information Horizons conceptual framework and understanding how to apply the Information Horizon Interview Method, are fundamental for any serious information behavior scholar. The chapters included in this edited volume provide a solid introduction to the framework and method and demonstrate their application in a range of information behavior studies. Multiple chapters provide detailed guidance for scholars seeking to implement the method. The inclusion of numerous figures and tables, as well as a comprehensive index, ensure that the content is presented clearly. Each chapter is well-structured to provide theoretical and practical support for the researcher, and specific advice on the research process ensures that the book will be of particular value to students and early career researchers. Comprehensive reference lists help direct the reader to supporting literature and invite further exploration. This book makes a significant contribution to the field, highlighting a central information behavior theory and method; it should be required reading for students and experienced scholars alike."
~ Heidi Julien, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Department of Information Science, University at Buffalo SUNY, USA.
ISBN: 9781032880631
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 350g
172 pages