Situational Information Behaviour

Abstract

This paper discusses how the knowledge gained from information studies creates the possibility of dealing with the challenges of refugee integration. We demonstrate that a situation-focused approach creates a systemic understanding of information needs that is useful not only for the individual but also for the design of institutional responses to forced migration. We analysed findings from our research into refugee integration using the sense-making situation-gap approach and found micro- and macro-situations affecting information behaviour and use. The combined analysis of individual and contextual factors highlighted the characteristics of situations for actors, actions, interactions and events of context. We show that overarching situations faced by refugees determine individual information gap moments, and we discuss situational information behaviour in light of these findings. The findings show how a situational approach expands understanding in information studies and emphasises the depth information behaviour adds to the social and behavioural sciences.

Keywords

• information behaviour
• information needs
• refugee integration
• sense-making
• situational approach