Information seeking behaviour model as a theoretical lens: high and low literate users behaviour process analysed.

Motivation – The paper focuses on how information seeking behaviour model is used as a theoretical lens to analyse high and low literate users online behaviour which in turn will support interface design suggestions.
Research approach – Five high and five low literate users of a local charity which provides social service information participated to carry out four online information seeking tasks. Data were captured using think-aloud, video, observation and semi structured interview techniques. A data analysis on the study previously discovered eight information seeking behaviour strategies: Reading, Scanning, Focus, Satisfied, Verification, Recovery, Trajectories, Representation and Abandon.
Several information seeking behaviour models were evaluated prior to selecting Ellis (1989) information seeking behaviour model which includes features such as: starting, chaining, browsing, differentiating, monitoring, extracting, verifying , and ending. The model is used as a theoretical lens to analyse the data combining with the previous findings to make interface design suggestions. The study will not validate the correctness or the features of Ellis model.
Findings/Design – The analysis uncovered two variations of Ellis model for the high and low literate users, and how the models were used to give interface design suggestions.
Research limitations/Implications – The small sample size of five high and five low literate participants, limited the possibility of generalizing the findings.
Originality/Value – The low and high literate users information seeking behaviour were analysed using Ellis model as a theoretical lens along with the previously identified information seeking behaviour strategies of these users. These finds of the refined models are used to suggest interface design to improve the low literate users online information seeking.
Take away message – The models will be used to suggest interface design recommend for low literate users online information seeking.

The 24th European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics, ECCE'10. Theme: 'Caring technology for the future'. From 25 to 27 August, 2010 at Delft, The Netherlands.