Human Information Interaction

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Background and Aim: Collaborative information seeking is an interaction among members of a group who purposefully try to access and share joint information. Although collaboration is a key component of information seeking behavior, but most of the studies in this area are focused on individual information seeking behavior and collaborative aspects are considered much less. As a result, there is a need for understanding conceptual features as well as supportive technical methods of information behavior in collaborative activities. Method: The present review article has studied concepts and theories of collaborative information behavior using library method. Results: In this research, firstly, the concept of collaboration is explained and differences with other concepts like communication, coordination and cooperation are explained. Moreover, the concept of collaborative information behavior and collaborative information seeking behavior are discussed from different viewpoints and suggestions are offered for future research. Conclusion: collaborative information behavior is one of the most important concepts in human information interaction studies and it can be known as dynamic activities in a group including searching, combining, publishing and producing information.

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Background and Aim: the current study aims to determine factors which may cause negative feeling such as fear, uncertainty and anxiety during information seeking process. Method: In this review paper, different library resources and databases were searched in the areas of library anxiety, Internet anxiety, computer anxiety, information seeking, information searching and information retrieval to elicit factors which may cause information seeking anxiety. Results: Potential causes of information seeking anxiety were grouped and reviewed in 4 different categories, namely factors associated with information resources, factors associated with computers, the Internet and databases, factors associated with libraries and factors associated with information seeking process. Conclusion: Negative feelings during information seeking process may negatively affect the results of this process. By being aware of the causes of information seeking anxiety, librarians and information systems’ administrators will be in a better position to provide instructions and services which is effective to reduce levels of anxiety during information seeking process.  

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Background and Aim: According to the social media development in libraries and necessity of social media literacy for librarians, the aim of this study was to elucidate the viewpoints and experiences of librarians about social media literacy. Also, strategies for increasing librarians' social media literacy was suggested.

Method: A qualitative study with University librarians in Sistan district was performed using interview method. Fourteen out of 40 university librarians were studied using convenience sampling method. Content analysis approach was used to analyze data.

Results: Themes such as "Network awareness, proper incorporation and   understanding of social media, observance of copyright law and personal privacy, critical and evaluative use, exchange of information, and targeted use," were derived from findings. Librarians accentuated the importance of social media literacy education.

Conclusion: Planning for formal and informal instruction of social media literacy as an essential part of information society should be pursued thoroughly. Social media literacy culture requires to be promoted. Attention to the production of practical works in social media literacy field is essential, especially among librarians