The transfer of theories and models from information behaviour research into other disciplines

Abstract

Introduction. The diffusion of information science research into other disciplines has not been extensively studied. This paper attempts to remedy this situation in terms of research into information behaviour. Method. A sample of papers citing three key authors (Kuhlthau, Savolainen and Wilson) was taken from Google Scholar. Analysis. The papers were categorised as being by either exporters (information science researchers publishing in other fields) or importers, researchers in other disciplines importing ideas from information science. The citations to the key authors were categorised as affirmation, negation, application, perfunctory, and review. A non-parametric test (Chi-squared) was used, where appropriate, to determine the significance of association between variables. Results. Most citing authors in the four disciplines studied were importers, suggesting that information behaviour research is making a significant impact in those disciplines. The most common citation type was the review (44% of the total), followed by perfunctory (36%). The application type of citation was most numerous in the health-related field. No negation citations were found. Conclusion. Given the limited number of papers reviewed, it is not possible to generalise. However, the review does show that information behaviour is having an impact in the four disciplines studied, and that the most significant level of impact is found in the health field.