Life Transitions as a New Perspective for Information Behavior Research:Status Quo and Future Prospects
Life transitions refer to the unique life stages people enter when they encounter significant life events.During these transitions,individuals' information behavior can differ significantly from their behavior in everyday and work contexts.Over the past five years,scholars in the Library and Information Science(LIS) field have embraced life transitions as new perspectives for studying information behavior,yielding a considerable body of findings.This recognition has revealed the interactive processes among people,information,and society in the face of life challenges.This study reviews the literature on information behavior during life transitions and provide insights into future research directions.This paper examines 63 literatures investigating information behavior during life transitions.First,the study defines life transitions,outlining its process and connection to meaning-making.Then,the findings identify key attributes of information behavior during life transitions:1) Breadth,showcasing its dynamic and multifaceted nature;2) Depth,reflecting its complexity in facing life challenges across dimensions like meaning,categorization,and aesthetics;and 3) Socio-cultural influence,highlighting how social and cultural factors shape information behavior during life transitions,including both hindrances and facilitators,alongside socio-material aspects.Second,the paper summarizes the core content of information behavior research during life transitions.On one hand,the findings clarify the theories and methodologies.Theoretical frameworks in previous studies encompass three aspects:life transitions,information behavior,and meaning-making.Methodologically,cross-sectional qualitative research predominates,though there is a trend toward using longitudinal designs and data-driven research methods.One the other hand,the findings outline five key contexts explored in previous research:health disruption,individuals with unique self-identifying characteristics,immigrants,early-career communities,and disaster events.This delves into the changing information behavior shaped by interactions among individuals,communities,technology,and socio-cultural norms across various settings.Finally,the paper proposes four key areas for future research:expanding research contexts,innovating methods,integrating and evolving theories,and promoting positive meaning-making.In terms of contexts,the study calls for a deeper focus on marginalized groups and the exploration of local contexts in China.Methodologically,it highlights the potential of longitudinal designs,quantitative,mixed,and phenomenological methods,to enhance research capabilities.Theoretically,it emphasizes the importance of prioritizing interdisciplinary theories and developing localized transition theories to advance understanding.Regarding meaning-making,the study stresses the need to address its opaque nature within LIS and explore its correlation with information behaviors.In summary,the paper outlines the research trajectory of information behavior during life transitions and highlights potential avenues for advancing the field.It emphasizes the need for domestic scholars to address China's social development needs by establishing a distinct Chinese information behavior research system.This will provide practical strategies for addressing localized life transition challenges.2 figs.1 tab.97 refs.
Information behaviorLife transitionsMeaning-makingIndependent knowledge system
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