Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs, and Behavior (Library and Information Science) (Library and Information ... and Information Science (New York, N.Y.).) [Hardcover]

Donald O. Case (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 012150381X | ISBN-13: 978-0121503819 | Publication Date: May 17, 2002 | Edition: 1st

Looking for Information presents examples of information seeking and reviews studies of the information-seeking behavior of both general and specific social and occupational groups: scientists, engineers, social scientists, humanists, policy experts, the aged, the poor, and the public in general. It also discusses general research on information seeking, including basic research on human communication behavior as found in the literature of psychology, anthropology, sociology, and other disciplines.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an excellent, long-needed text. Nothing quite like it is available...this will become the standard work in the area..."
T.D. Wilson, Emeritus, University of Sheffield, U.K.

"...an ambitious book...particularly welcome as an academic textbook...a wealth of concrete examples of information seeking in everyday contexts..."
Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology

"A welcome and ambitious book that should be received with open arms...clear and readable...highly accessible...cannot be overlooked..."
Information Research

"...an especially useful source, assembling and framing user-centered studies...Case has performed a significant service for students and researchers..."
Journal of the Medical Library Association

"...It should appear on reading lists and bookshelves across a number of academic fields."
FIRST MONDAY.com --T.D. Wilson, Emeritus, University of Sheffield, U.K.<

Book Description

An updated look at how humans seek out information --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1st edition (May 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 012150381X
• ISBN-13: 978-0121503819
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I have to disagree with a Reader from England..., November 5, 2003

By 

infomaverick (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs, and Behavior (Library and Information Science) (Library and Information ... and Information Science (New York, N.Y.).) (Hardcover)

I'm currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Information Science and, while this book isn't the sum total of all LIS knowledge, I've found it invaluable as a reference on Information Seeking. Few other places will you find this level of literature review laid out in such a compact way. I use it nearly every day in my studies and I'm grateful that Don Case wrote it. It's a roadmap and guidebook for my studies.

- A reader from Texas

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I'd prefer a 3 1/2 for this book, April 3, 2006

By 

hrladyship (Las Cruces, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs, and Behavior (Library and Information Science) (Library and Information ... and Information Science (New York, N.Y.).) (Hardcover)

As a graduate student in Library and Information Studies, I was assigned this book in one of my courses. As textbooks in this field go, Case's book is more readable than most. As mentioned by an earlier reviewer, it is an in-depth literature review, and since it is for one of the required courses which had to be taken early on, it will be a useful reference in future classes. In fact, it is a book that I will retain simply as a source of information on possible research material.

The book is well organized and frankly, is one of the nicest as far as materials and construction. The questions at the back of the book, supposedly relating to each chapter, were confusing in that there seemed to be no relationship in many instances.

The one serious complaint that I can make is the tremendous need for editing and proofreading in this edition. The book is replete with incorrect grammar, misspellings, missing words, extra words, etc. Hopefully, these will be corrected in the new edition.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Case Book is my research bible, August 5, 2009

By 

BL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Looking for Information, Second Edition: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs, and Behavior (Library and Information Science) (Hardcover)

I am a doctoral student in Information Science and reading the first edition of this book as a textbook in one of my MLS courses 4 years ago is what inspired me and motivated me to apply for a PhD program. I have read hundreds of books and thousands of articles in the field of User Studies and Information Seeking since then, but I keep coming back to this book again and again as it is like a refdesk full of information about all the major works in the field, and organized in a very easy-to-comprehend manner. I like the second edition even better on account of the added Glossary. Thank you, Dr. Case, for doing all the hard work to compile such an expansive literature review and a wonderful and thought-provoking introduction to the research in my field!