Information Seekers - Personas

Information Seekers

The information seeking behavior of social scientists share seeking traits that are somewhere between the pure scientist professionals and the humanities.  Relying on personal collections and their own networks rather than formal collections such as libraries.   Rupp-Serrano also discovered that social scientists like to follow rabbit trails, in other words, like Humanities scholars, they enjoy tracking down citations and discovering sources, “Those in the social sciences placed a great deal of importance on journal literature and frequently identified sources by following citations but did not refer much to catalogs, librarians, or indexes” (Rupp-Serrano & Robbins, 2013, p. 132)

Information seeking from raw statistics, presentations, or interpreted data is needed, “Information in the form of data, both raw and processed, is heavily relied upon by social science information users...Social scientists increasingly use official records, archival materials, files, committee/commission reports” (Kumar, Singh S. N. & Yaday, 2011)

Information queries, especially public patron interactions, can sometimes range between simple inquiries to more intense information sessions that can be life changing,  L. Westbrook discusses the balance librarians often struggle with in servicing these patrons.  Her article discusses a model of servicing these patrons (Westbrook, 2015).

In the academic world, the model of the embedded librarian has certainly taken root.  Could this model work for the public reference librarian?  The idea of the embedded librarian is somewhat similar to the shift in considering patrons as clients rather than quick ready reference customers.  Public reference librarians also need to become visibly valuable to their users.  Issues of patron privacy and legality fringes will certainly need to be looked at for each institution.  But imagine a world where a public patron can come to their “librarian” not as counselor, doctor, or  lawyer; but “my librarian” -- my personal resource liaison.  Carlson and Kneale make a significant point about this type of service and its measurable value, “The embedded librarian model offers the potential for librarians to apply their knowledge and expertise in new ways that can influence the value proposition of librarians” (Carlson & Kneale, 2011, p. 171)  

When working with a researcher in the historical or anthropological sciences, the librarian may assist as collaborator, reminding the researcher about model approaches to seeking and finding their data.  Karen Harvey cites JD Prown when she opens her text with an interesting exploratory model for information seeker.  She begins by listing a three step model in that the researcher 1) engages in precise object description, 2)  engages in deduction and exploring possibilities and connections between object and people, 3) engages in speculation using external evidence and creative imagining to add to understanding (Harvey, 2009, p. 2).   It is a simple yet profound model.  Patrons or researchers often cannot see connections as easily as someone else, in this case, the librarian.  The librarian can show immense value by talking and mind-walking the researcher to ask the right questions. 

Head also discusses the difficulty in seeking quality information for students and student researchers“ Students adopt a hybrid approach to course-related research...In particular, students faced problems with determining information needs for assignments, selecting and critically evaluating resources, and gauging professors' expectations for quality research” (Head, 2008, p. 427).

A study conducted at Mizoram University discovered that books and print journals are still a priority for researchers.  This study result was reported in 2011 but the dependency on print journals may be a consequence of the collection and library instruction.  Local universities here in Indianapolis still have a huge dependency on reference print.  In the case of a seminary graduate school, many journals have been slow to be digitized.  Even with the variables in consideration, it is still noted that Kumar found that “Social scientists of Mizoram University depend on many kinds of formal and informal sources of information. Monographs and textbooks are extremely important, as are print journals. 

More than 80 percent use seminars, workshops, and conferences for seeking information.  Databases were a less popular source of information. The results showed a clear preference for print documents” (Kumar, et al., 2011).

The following personas are characterized or built based on data from all the above resources plus additional images and personalities from iconic media..

Vague Scholar.

The Vague Scholar is an intelligent scholar who struggles a little with communicating his needs.  This scholar may approach the librarian with confidence but fail to explain enough background information in his opening request, that the Librarian is left feeling like they just walked through a fog and struggles not to frown in the fashion of “What did you say you were looking for?”  This professional librarian knows how to handle the vague scholar - keeping facial puzzlement perfectly absent, continues to probe with exploratory questions.  The Vague Scholar could be a student or faculty member from any social studies discipline.  Not always conscious of a research methodology, they sort of stumble into the right resources due to the librarians patience and assistance.  Having an awareness of research steps and models for social scientists is very beneficial in helping the Vague Scholar (Harvey, 2009, p. 2).

Field-loving Scholar.

The Field-loving Scholar is very much self identifying.  This scholar loves to be in the field, especially working anthropologists.  To help envision this scholar, think Jurassic Park’s Dr. Alan Grant.  This scholar is not comfortable in the classroom, prefers collecting data even more so than writing up the research.  Libraries are a necessity but not the favorite place for the Field-loving Scholar.  Working alone or with a close-knit team, this scholar may be seen in-between field projects or during teaching semesters.  He may be asking the librarian for background knowledge to prepare for the next project.  When working with the Field-loving Scholar, he may not elaborate a great deal on the kinds of materials that he needs.  Using research methods similar to the historical scholar, this person may need to have a probing reference interview to clarify specific journals or sources that are needed.  The Field-loving Scholar may also be a traditionalist, preferring print and will enjoy browsing through some of the great print reference materials for background information (Kumar, et al., 2011)

Traditionalist by Habit Scholar.

The Traditionalist by Habit Scholar is one that uses traditional methods of research, heavy in print references and print journals because he has always been a great scholar and loves the written word -- he is a traditionalist.  The habit though is simply that, a habit.  The professional librarian needs to develop a close working relationship with this scholar.  By building trust and rapport, the librarians can help the Traditionalist by Habit Scholar to make his adjustment into the 21st century and find the same quality research information in an alternative form.  The goal of the librarian is not to prune him from print, but to help him develop a comfort zone with virtual research.  As Pearson reports, “relationship building has a lot to do with the key factors of empathy and listening” (Pearson, 2014, p. 258)