Dissertation Information for Samia Benidir NAME: - Samia Benidir
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- University of California, Berkeley (USA) (1991)
ADVISORS: - Michael Buckland
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Patrick Wilson - Philip Eyrikson Tetlock
MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected
Title: Information-seeking behavior during the decision-making process: A case study
Abstract: People cannot know everything first hand for themselves. They must, in practice, depend on the knowledge of others: "second-hand knowledge". People are influenced in their decisions by peers, friends, family, acquaintances, salesmen, and so on. However, little is known about how much influence these sources have in decision making processes, on what sort of individuals, and how it happens. Following P. Wilson, Second-hand Knowledge (1983), we use the term "cognitive authority" to denote the respect attributed and the influence allowed to sources of information.
This study investigates information seeking behavior and information use in decision making, especially the perceived influence of cognitive authority, among the Berkeley campus population when selecting a personal computer.
The researcher worked as a participant observer, administered a questionnaire, and conducted interviews. Questionnaire data were analyzed by Log-linear modelling. A typology of styles of information use was developed.
The results of this research illustrate the different information seeking behavior of different consumers for the same decision making. The findings of this study show that the information sources available serve individuals and groups differently. Status and sex directly affect the information seeking behavior of decision makers, including the attribution of cognitive authority and the use of cognitive authorities. Age, discipline, and speaking English as a foreign language are also influential. Interaction, especially informal communication, is important in information use. Libraries were not consulted for this type of information use.
The significance of this research is that it aimed at clarifying the complicated process of information seeking and information use for decision making by attempting to isolate the factors that distinguish social groups.
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MPACT Scores for Samia Benidir A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-05-21 11:32:47
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