Fast surfers, broad scanners and deep divers as users of information technology - Relating information preferences to personality traits

Abstract

This paper will discuss the influence of personality traits and approaches to studying on students' information-seeking behavior, with a specific focus on their use of information technology. The results were obtained in a study of 305 university students who completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory measuring personality, the ASSIST test measuring approaches to studying and a questionnaire regarding information seeking behavior. Three information-seeking patterns emerged from the analyses; Fast suffers, Broad scanners and Deep divers. These patterns could be related to different personality traits and study approaches. The influence of personality and study approaches on information-seeking behavior points to the importance of customizing information services to meet individual needs.