The Concepts and Characteristics of Wilson's Information Seeking Behavior Model: A Literature Review

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the concepts and characteristics of Wilson's information seeking behavior model, as the highly cited pattern in information seeking behavior debates and tracing its completion, expansion and development process. Wilson's information seeking behavior model is the base for other subsequent related models. It has been the highly cited model amongst other information seeking behavior models worldwide. Having revised four times since 1981, the model has been revised by many researchers as a theory rather than a theoretical framework. In other words, despite the role of theory in its final formation, the aim of the model is to connect theory to practice. It is important to note that Wilson's general model has been constructed and evolved continuously and the understanding of the connections and relations of the charts and conceptions embedded in the model in details has been important for its explanation. No pattern is complete by itself and for showing the growth trends of research ideas from the model, it is necessary to revise the charts and concepts embedded in both 1981 and 1996 Wilson's model varieties and practice accordingly. In this study, concepts and features of Wilson's information seeking model have been expressed, and a brief overview of the information seeking behavior theories and analysis of the Wilson's information seeking behavior models have been performed. Keywords: Information Seeking Behavior; Wilson's Model; Information Storage and Retrieval