We Don't Do Politics: An Analysis and Discussion of Information Seeking Behaviour Research in Relation to the Net Generation

We Don't Do Politics: An Analysis and Discussion of Information Seeking Behaviour Research in Relation to the Net Generation

Jonathan Bishop
Copyright: © 2014 |Pages: 16
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-6038-0.ch002
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Abstract

Information Seeking Behaviour (ISB) is becoming an interesting topic, especially with the advancement of the World Wide Web and technologically enhanced data collection techniques. Differences between generations, such as the Net Generation and Baby Boomers are becoming more and more evident. The Net Generation have shown they are enjoying more public policy participation than ever before through the use of the Internet. Finding an overall methodology that takes into account this generation is therefore a challenge. This chapter applies a heuristic framework to a number of research papers on the Net Generation and ISBs in order to critically analyse and evaluate the information within it in order to gain an insight into the most effective approach to ISB research. Through interpreting these research papers, this chapter attempts to gauge the scope and develop an understanding of ISB research in relation to the Net Generation and discover the most effective methodological approach for the emerging discipline.
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Background

Much research into information seeking behaviour (ISB) has focused on a small number of factors identified before the empirical investigation has begun (Berryman, 2006). Traditional locations for information seeking, like libraries, no longer have a monopoly on information sources, but such sources can apply classic marketing principles to attract and better serve new generations of users, such as the Net Generation (Barnes, Marateo, & Ferris, 2007). Indeed, students from the Net Generation are generally interested in having online multimedia resources at their fingertips and one of the driving factors in the creation of Web-based educational resources is on-going student demand (Krzic et al., 2013).

Research has found that both the Net Generation and Baby boomers identify Google and human sources as the first sources they use for quick searches (Connaway, Radford, Dickey, De Angelis Williams, & Confer, 2008). This showed that young N-Geners mentioned consulting parents most frequently, while the older N-Geners consult friends and professors. Connaway et al. (2008) found that Baby Boomers indicate that they consult their personal libraries and colleagues.

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