Meta-synthesis of research on information seeking behaviour
- Autores: Christine Urquhart
- Localización: Information Research, ISSN-e 1368-1613, Vol. 16, Nº. 1, 2011 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Proceedings of ISIC: the information behaviour conference, Murcia, 29 September - 1 October, 2010. Part 2.)
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
-
Resumen
Introduction. Meta-synthesis methods may help to make more sense of information behaviour research evidence.
Aims and objectives. The objectives are to: 1) identify and examine the theoretical research strategies commonly used in information behaviour research; 2) discuss meta-synthesis methods that might be appropriate to the type of research studies normally encountered in information behaviour research; and 3) propose some approaches.
Method. The methods are literature-review based, with reflection and discussion of an existing meta-synthesis of research on women's information behaviour.
Analysis. Information behaviour reviews are categorised according to prevailing paradigm and these paradigms mapped to those used in reviews of meta-synthesis in social science.
Results. The range of inquiry paradigms used in information behaviour research is varied, with a strong emphasis on psychological (positivistic) approaches and constructivism. There are many approaches to meta-synthesis and the choice depends on the desired outcomes, as the example meta-synthesis illustrates.
Conclusions. Meta-synthesis approaches, such as meta-ethnography and critical interpretative synthesis, may be applied to research in information behaviour.
