Conceptualizing Information Need: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The study investigated, through a phenomenological study, the conceptualization of Information need. A convenient sampling technique was used, ten (10) respondents were used for the study, information was obtained with the interview guide and responses obtained were analyzed thematically. The result of the study revealed that information need is the totality of Human Information Seeking Behavior which commences from the un-programmed, un-conscious, un-systematic and un-planned encounters with various information systems and sources that leads to the discovering of information needs, and to the consciously planned and mechanized search to fill this need providing solution at the long run to the need discovered.