This paper presents an international literature review on the hot topic of library users’ information retrieval behaviour in recent years. Through the usage of bibliometric content analysis and social network analysis methods, the paper finishes the work of data cleaning and integration, referring to the quantitative analysis of results produced by CiteSpace, a literature citation visualization analysis software, to summarize the main branches and focuses of this area. The researchers find that academia primarily focuses on the field of mechanisms and model research of users’ information retrieval behaviour, users’ information demands research, information literacy cultivation, and information retrieval system design and optimization, among other significant findings. Through the panoramic analysis and interpretation of research on international library users’ information retrieval behaviour provided by this article, conducted from a bibliometrics perspective, the researchers establish a clear overview and an effective reference of the research hotspots in this area.
Cite this paper
Su, W. and Sun, Y. (2020). Research on the Library Users’ Information Retrieval Behaviour: From a Bibliometric Perspective
. Open Access Library Journal, 7, e6460. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106460.
Clarke, M.A., Belden, J.L., Koopman, R.J., et al. (2013) Information Needs and Information-Seeking Behaviour Analysis of Primary Care Physicians and Nurses: A Literature Review. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 30, 178-190.
https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12036
Alving, B.E., Christensen, J.B. and Thryso, L. (2018) Hospital Nurses’ Information Retrieval Behaviours in Relation to Evidence Based Nursing: A Literature Review. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 35, 3-23.
https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12204
Cranley, L., Doran, D.M., Tourangeau, A.E., et al. (2009) Nurses’ Uncertainty in Decision-Making: A Literature Review. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 6, 3-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6787.2008.00138.x
Corcoran, T.B., Haigh, F., Seabrook, A., et al. (2009) The Quality of Internet-Sourced Information for Patients with Chronic Pain Is Poor. Clinical Journal of Pain, 25, 617-623. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0b013e3181a5b5d5
Catalano, A. (2013) Patterns of Graduate Students Information Seeking Behavior: A Meta-Synthesis of the Literature. The Journal of Documentation, 69, 243-274.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00220411311300066
Boot, C.R.L. and Meijman, F.J. (2010) The Public and the Internet: Multifaceted Drives for Seeking Health Information. Health Informatics Journal, 16, 145-156.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1460458210364786
Lavranos, C., Kostagiolas, P., Korfiatis, N. and Papadatos, J. (2016) Information Seeking for Musical Creativity: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, 67, 2105-2117.
Alzahrani, A., Mahmud, I., Ramayah, T., et al. (2017) Modelling Digital Library Success Using the DeLone and McLean Information System Success Model. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 51, 329-354.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000617726123
Kuhlthau, C.C. (1991) Inside the Search Process: Information Seeking from the User’s Perspective. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 42, 361-371.
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4571(199106)42:5<361::AID-ASI6>3.0.CO;2-#
Kuhlthau, C.C. (2004) Seeking Meaning: A Process Approach to Library and Information Services. Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 4, 440-441.
https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2004.0054
Savolainen, R. (2013) Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs, and Behavior. Library & Information Science Research, 35, 251-252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2013.05.002
Bilal, D. (2001) Children’s Use of the Yahooligans! Web Search Engine: II. Cognitive and Physical Behaviors on Research Tasks. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 52, 118-136.
https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4571(2000)9999:9999<::AID-ASI1038>3.0.CO;2-R
Tenopir, C., King, D.W. and Boyce, P. (2005) Relying on Electronic Journals: Reading Patterns of Astronomers. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 56, 786-802. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.20167
Hemminger, B.M., Lu, D.H., Vaughan, K.T.L. and Adams, S.J. (2007) Information Seeking Behavior of Academic Scientists. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 58, 2205-2225.
https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.20686
Rowlands, I., Nicholas, D., Williams, P., Huntington, P., Fieldhouse, M., Gunter, B., Withey, R., Jamali, H.R., Dobrowolski, T. and Tenopir, C. (2008) The Google Generation: The Information Behaviour of the Researcher of the Future. Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives, 60, 290-310.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00012530810887953
Kuhlthau, C.C. (1999) Accommodating the User’s Information Search Process: Challenges for Information Retrieval System Designers. Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science & Technology, 25, 12-16.
https://doi.org/10.1002/bult.115
Al-Suqri, M.N. (2011) Information-Seeking Behavior of Social Science Scholars in Developing Countries: A Proposed Model. The International Information & Library Review, 43, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10572317.2011.10762875
Byron, S.M. and Young, J.I. (2000) Information Seeking in a Virtual Learning Environment. Research Strategies, 17, 257-267.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0734-3310(01)00055-6
Westbrook, L. (2015) I’m Not a Social Worker: An Information Service Model for Working with Patrons in Crisis. Library Quarterly, 85, 6-25.
https://doi.org/10.1086/679023
Robson, A. and Robinson, L. (2013) Building on Models of Information Behaviour: Linking Information Seeking and Communication. Journal of Documentation, 69, 169-193. https://doi.org/10.1108/00220411311300039
Chen, Y.N. and Ke, H.R. (2013) An Analysis of Users’ Behaviour Patterns in the Organisation of Information a Case Study of Citeulike. Online Information Review, 37, 638-656. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-05-2012-0086
Thellefsen, M., Thellefsen, T.L. and Sørensen, B. (2013) A Pragmatic Semeiotic Perspective on the Concept of Information Need and Its Relevance for Knowledge Organization. Knowledge Organization, 40, 213-224.
https://doi.org/10.5771/0943-7444-2013-4-213
Hultgren, F. (2013) The Stranger’s Tale: Information Seeking as an Outsider Activity. Journal of Documentation, 69, 275-294.
https://doi.org/10.1108/00220411311300075
Lin, S.K. (2000) A Comparison of Organizational Structures and Member Categories of the Australian Library and Information Association and the Library Association of China. Bulletin of the Library Association of China, 65, 111-124.
Wood, M. (1975) Initial Organization and Staffing Patterns for Indian Library Services: Staffing for Indian Library Services. National Indian Education Association, Minneapolis, 1-17.
Savolainen, R. (2014) Emotions as Motivators for Information Seeking: A Conceptual Analysis. Library & Information Science Research, 36, 59-65.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2013.10.004
Bronstein, J. (2014) The Role of Perceived Self-Efficacy in the Information Seeking Behavior of Library and Information Science Students. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 40, 101-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2014.01.010
Santosa, P.I., Wei, K.K. and Chan, H.C. (2005) User Involvement and User Satisfaction with Information-Seeking Activity. European Journal of Information Systems, 14, 361-370. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.ejis.3000545
Weiler, A. (2005) Information-Seeking Behavior in Generation Y Students: Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Learning Theory. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 31, 46-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2004.09.009
Rafiq, M. and Ameen, K. (2009) Information Seeking Behavior and User Satisfaction of University Instructors: A Case Study. Library Philosophy and Practice, 240, 1-12.
Sugie, N. (2013) Application of Radio Frequency Identification Technology to Study Library Users’ Information-Seeking Behavior. Library & Information Science Research, 35, 69-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2012.06.006
Mandel, L.H. (2010) Toward an Understanding of Library Patron Wayfinding: Observing Patrons’ Entry Routes in a Public Library. Library & Information Science Research, 32, 116-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2009.12.004
Given, L.M. (2015) Visual Traffic Sweeps (VTS): A Research Method for Mapping User Activities in the Library Space. Library & Information Science Research, 37, 100-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2015.02.005
Lin, W.-J. and Yueh, H.-P. (2012) Examining College Students’ Reading Behaviors and Needs for Ebook Users. Journal of Library and Information Studies, 10, 113-142.
Shenton, A.K. (2011) Uniting Information Literacy Promotion and User Development in Schools: Two Forms of Library-Based Intervention. IFLA Journal, 37, 62-68. https://doi.org/10.1177/0340035210396998
Georgas, H. (2014) Google vs. the Library Part II, Student Search Patterns and Behaviors When Using Google and a Federated Search Tool. Portal-Libraries and the Academy, 14, 503-532. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2014.0034
Jamali, H.R. and Asadi, S. (2010) Google and the Scholar: The Role of Google in Scientists’ Information-Seeking Behaviour. Online Information Review, 34, 282-294.
https://doi.org/10.1108/14684521011036990
Clark, D.J., Nicholas, D. and Jamali, H.R. (2014) Evaluating Information Seeking and Use in the Changing Virtual World: The Emerging Role of Google Analytics. Learned Publishing, 27, 185-194. https://doi.org/10.1087/20140304
Heinström, J., Sormunen, E. and Kaunisto-Laine, S. (2014) Spanning Information Behaviour across the Stages of a Learning Task Where Do Personality and Approach to Studying Matter? Journal of Documentation, 70, 1076-1097.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-02-2014-0041
Chen, Y.H. (2015) Testing the Impact of an Information Literacy Course: Undergraduates’ Perceptions and Use of the University Libraries’ Web Portal. Library & Information Science Research, 37, 263-274.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2015.04.002
Lo, P. and Chu, W. (2015) Information for Inspiration: Understanding Information-Seeking Behaviour and Library Usage of Students at the Hong Kong Design Institute. Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 46, 101-120.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00048623.2015.1019604
Kim, K.-S., Joanna Sin, S.-C. and Yoo-Lee, E.Y. (2014) Undergraduates’ Use of Social Media as Information Sources. College & Research Libraries, 75, 442-457.
https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.75.4.442
Mugwisi, T., Ocholla, D.N. and Mostert, B.J. (2014) An Overview of the Information Needs of Agricultural Researchers and Extension Workers in Zimbabwe. Libri, 64, 85-108. https://doi.org/10.1515/libri-2014-0008
Darby, P. and Clough, P. (2013) Investigating the Information-Seeking Behaviour of Genealogists and Family Historians. Journal of Information Science, 39, 73-84.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0165551512469765
Al-Shboul, M.K. and Abrizah, A. (2014) Information Needs: Developing Personas of Humanities Scholars. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 40, 500-509.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2014.05.016
Sapa, R., Krakowska, M. and Janiak, M. (2014) Information Seeking Behaviour of Mathematicians: Scientists and Students. Information Research, 19, 1-11.
Du, W.C. and Song, S. (2013) Information Needs Analysis of the Aerospace Discipline. Aslib Proceedings, 65, 376-387. https://doi.org/10.1108/AP-04-2012-0034
Hayes, R.M., Karlics, K. and Schloegl, C. (2013) University Libraries as a Model for the Determination of the Need for Information Specialists in Knowledge Industries? An Exploratory Analysis of the Information Sector in Austria. Information Processing & Management, 49, 1008-1018.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ipm.2013.04.001
Diekema, A.R. and Olsen, M.W. (2014) Teacher Personal Information Management (Pim) Practices: Finding, Keeping, and Re-Finding Information. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 65, 2261-2277.
https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.23117
Gossen, T. and NüRnberger, A. (2013) Specifics of Information Retrieval for Young Users: A Survey. Information Processing & Management, 49, 739-756.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ipm.2012.12.006
Majid, S., Foo, S., Zhang, X., Mokhtar, I.A., Luyt, B., Chang, Y.-K. and Theng, Y.-L. (2013) Nurses’ Information Use and Literature Searching Skills for Evidence Based Practices. Malaysian Journal of Library & Information Science, 18, 67-78.
Farokhzadian, J., Khajouei, R. and Ahmadian, L. (2015) Information Seeking and Retrieval Skills of Nurses: Nurses Readiness for Evidence Based Practice in Hospitals of a Medical University in Iran. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 84, 570-577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2015.03.008
Stokes, P. and Urquhart, C. (2015) Profiling Information Behaviour of Nursing Students: Part 2: Derivation of Profiles. Journal of Documentation, 71, 52-79.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-07-2013-0091
De Groote, S.L., Shultz, M. and Blecic, D.D. (2014) Information-Seeking Behavior and the Use of Online Resources: A Snapshot of Current Health Sciences Faculty. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 102, 169-176.
https://doi.org/10.3163/1536-5050.102.3.006
Yi, Y.J. (2015) Consumer Health Information Behavior in Public Libraries: A Qualitative Study. Library Quarterly, 85, 45-63. https://doi.org/10.1086/679025
Sabelli, M. (2014) Health Care Information for Youth in Vulnerability Contexts: Designing a Website with an Interdisciplinary and Participatory Approach. Information Research, 19, 239-242.
Oh, S. and Noh, Y. (2013) Online Health Information in South Korean Public Libraries: Developing Evaluation Criteria. Library & Information Science Research, 35, 78-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2012.09.001
Gray, K., Elliott, K. and Wale, J. (2013) A Community Education Initiative to Improve Using Online Health Information: Participation and Impact. Informatics for Health & Social Care, 38, 171-181. https://doi.org/10.3109/17538157.2012.705201
Duhon, L. and Jameson, J. (2013) Health Information Outreach: A Survey of Us Academic Libraries, Highlighting a Midwestern University’s Experience. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 30, 121-137. https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12017
O’Connor, L.G. (2013) The Information Seeking and Use Behaviors of Retired Investors. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 45, 3-22.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000611434761
Joanna Sin, S.-C. (2015) Demographic Differences in International Students’ Information Source Uses and Everyday Information Seeking Challenges. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 41, 466-474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2015.04.003
Borlund, P. and Dreier, S. (2014) An Investigation of the Search Behaviour Associated with Ingwersen’s Three Types of Information Needs. Information Processing and Management, 50, 493-507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ipm.2014.03.001
Yeh, N.-C. (2013) Reflections on Information Field Theory through Research on Housewife Information Behaviors. Journal of Library and Information Science Research, 7, 123-152.
Khoir, S., Du, J.T. and Koronios, A. (2015) Linking Everyday Information Behaviour and Asian Immigrant Settlement Processes: Towards a Conceptual Framework. Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 46, 86-100.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00048623.2015.1024303
Westbrook, L. and Gonzalez, M.E. (2011) Information Support for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: Public Librarianship’s Role. Public Library Quarterly, 30, 132-157. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2011.575709
Bhatt, A.A. (2014) Information Needs, Perceptions and Quests of Law Faculty in the Digital Era. Electronic Library, 32, 659-669.
https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-11-2012-0152
González, Y.M. and Terra, A.L.S. (2013) Need for, Demand for, and Use of European Union Information. LIBRI, 63, 320-338.
https://doi.org/10.1515/libri-2013-0025
Tury, S., Robinson, L. and Bawden, D. (2015) The Information Seeking Behaviour of Distance Learners: A Case Study of the University of London International Programmes. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 41, 312-321.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2015.03.008
Zavalina, O. and Vassilieva, E.V. (2014) Understanding the Information Needs of Large-Scale Digital Library Users Comparative Analysis of User Searching. Library Resources & Technical Services, 58, 84-99. https://doi.org/10.5860/lrts.58n2.84
Mansour, E.A.H. (2015) Information Needs of Local Domestic Workers in the Arab Republic of Egypt. Electronic Library, 33, 643-667.
https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-01-2014-0012
Yong, J.Y. (2015) Health Literacy and Health Information Behavior of Florida Public Library Users: A Mixed Methods Study. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 47, 17-29. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000614531159
Lyons, T. and Warlick, S. (2013) Health Sciences Information Literacy in Cms Environments: Learning from Our Peers. Electronic Library, 31, 770-780.
https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-06-2012-0063
Hessler, K.E. (2015) Health Literacy and Law: Empowering Libraries to Improve Access to Consumer Health Information and Aca Compliance. The Serials Librarian, 69, 334-346. https://doi.org/10.1080/0361526X.2015.1105767
Exner, N. (2014) Research Information Literacy: Addressing Original Researchers’ Needs. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 40, 460-466.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2014.06.006
Mullins, K. (2014) Good Idea: Instructional Design Model for Integrating Information Literacy. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 40, 339-349.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2014.04.012
Stewart, K.N. and Basic, J. (2014) Information Encountering and Management in Information Literacy Instruction of Undergraduate, Students. International Journal of Information Management, 34, 74-79.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2013.10.007
Taylor, A. and Dalal, H.A. (2014) Information Literacy Standards and the World Wide Web: Results from a Student Survey on Evaluation of Internet Information Sources. Information Research, 19, 1-33.
Alvarez, M.C.A., Franca, I., Cuenca, A.M.B., Bastos, F.I., Ueno, H.M., Barros, C.R. and Guimaraes, M.C.S. (2014) Information Literacy: Perceptions of Brazilian Hiv/Aids Researchers. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 31, 64-74.
https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12047
Ukachi, N.B. (2015) Information Literacy of Students as a Correlate of their Use of Electronic Resources in University Libraries in Nigeria. Electronic Library, 33, 486-501.
https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-05-2013-0085
Baro, E.E., Seimode, F.D. and Godfrey, V.Z. (2013) Information Literacy Programmes in University Libraries: A Case Study. LIBRI, 63, 282-294.
https://doi.org/10.1515/libri-2013-0023
Behnert, C. and Lewandowski, D. (2015) Ranking Search Results in Library Information Systems—Considering Ranking Approaches Adapted from Web Search Engines. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 41, 725-735.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2015.07.010
Marijan, R. and Leskovar, R. (2015) A Library’s Information Retrieval System (in) Effectiveness: Case Study. Library Hi Tech, 33, 369-386.
https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-07-2015-0071
Deng, S.L., Yang, L.N. and Zhang, Y. (2014) Social Q&As or Library Virtual Reference Service: What Is behind the Choices of Chinese Information Seekers? LIBRI, 64, 327-340. https://doi.org/10.1515/libri-2014-0026
Amit Kumar, D.A. and Mandal, S. (2013) Development of Cloud Computing in Integrated Library Management and Retrieval System. International Journal of Library and Information Science, 5, 394-400.
Vassilakaki, E. and Garoufallou, E. (2013) Multilingual Digital Libraries: A Review of Issues in System-Centered and User-Centered Studies, Information Retrieval and User Behavior. The International Information & Library Review, 45, 3-19.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10572317.2013.10766367
Xia, J.F. (2004) Using GIS to Measure In-Library Book-Use Behavior. Information Technology and Libraries, 23, 184-191. https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v23i4.9663