Human Information Interaction

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Background and Aim: The aim of this research was to determine the quantity and quality of qualitative studies accomplished by Knowledge and Information Science (KIS) Researchers.

Methods: For this purpose, methodology section of articles published in 13 main Persian Journals in the field of KIS during 2004-2015 had been systematically scrutinized.

Results: Findings showed that:  total of 143 articles had been completed by qualitative methods, indicating unfavorable status of qualitative researches among KIS researchers.   Further, findings showed that mix and Content analysis methods were prevalent methods investigators had used, among the issues examined two publications informing research and academic libraries and library and information science had the highest share in qualitative research publications in KIS. While check list and document analysis were common way of data gathering.

Conclusion: Although the convention of qualitative research in recent years has been of interest to researchers of KIS,  it is still far from preferred objective of focusing on quantitative approaches.  Most focus is on quantitative approach, consequently not incorporating qualitative approaches in KIS studies

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Background and Aim: Due to the extensive use of knowledge intelligence, the future of countries depend on the application of specialized knowledge-based social networks. Thus, it is noteworthy to highlight the important role of the professionals. The key indicators of a model for knowledge sharing of Iranian experts, in experts’ social networks has been identified.

Methods: For this purpose, experts were interviewed in depth using a semi-structured framework in the field of research (n = 15) as well as the Delphi method (n = 9) were used to collect data in research.

Results: Findings indicate that the main variable of knowledge sharing behaviors are divided into individual, group, and environmental indexes respectively. Components of the individual dimension of knowledge sharing includes motivation, ethicality, personality, ability, attitude towards knowledge sharing and psychological security. Group dimension of knowledge sharing include shared benefits, group structure and social capital; and finally environmental factors, including technological (beautiful graphics, user-friendly network, server security, the communication infrastructure), political-legal (Funding for R & D for cyberspace area, allocation of financial resources to develop the infrastructure, filtrating, laws relating to intellectual property, bandwidth regulations and laws of cyberspace), economic (The cost of Internet and diversity of online packages) socio-cultural (experts lifestyle and Iranian national character).

Conclusion. We can only come to a comprehensive and theoretical model in the field of knowledge sharing behavior of Iranian users when identify the definitions, concepts, dimensions and components of virtual space based on the conditions prevailing in the country.

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Background and Aim: Due to recent attention to health promotion and self-care as one of the prerequisites of health services and intervention programs, health information seeking behavior research has gain increasing importance. Factors such as attention to user centered studies, context and self-care require using of methods and tools that help study people in their natural environment. However, review studies have shown the dominance of quantitative and positivist approaches in health information seeking behavior studies. This study aims at introducing episodic interview as a tool for gathering unique data from peoples’ natural lives and its application in health information seeking studies.
Method: This review article has been conducted by library method. It addresses health information seeking behavior concept and its affecting factors. It also introduces episodic interview and its underlying concepts including narration and narrative interviewing. Further, it investigates implications of applying episodic interview in health information behavior studies and eventually it discusses steps of conducting episodic interview with examples of narrations.
Findings: The strength point of episodic interview is its focus on narration of people about their lived experiences as research data which help researchers study and analyze people in a different way from conventional approaches. Implications of applying episodic interview are: 1.concentration of health information behavior studies on pattern of behavior, 2. health information seeking behavior being interwoven in everyday life, and 3. health information seeking behavior being intentional and purposeful.
Results: Episodic interview help researchers listen to the voices of different groups of people, especially whom their voice is not heard due to sickness and social and cultural conditions, a point which should be considered in designing any information and intervention services.