Information Search Process-Kuhlthau

Information Search Process-Kuhlthau:

Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process : Kuhlthau’s information search process (ISP) model in 1991focuses on two aspects: affective and cognitive during the process of information searching. This ISP of Kuhlthau is a six-stage process of information seeking behaviour in library and information science. Kuhlthau identified the following stages in the information seeking process:

1) Initiation: when a man initially winds up mindful of an absence of
information or comprehension, sentiments of vulnerability and
trepidation are normal.
2) Selection: when a general zone, subject, or issue is distinguished, starting
vulnerability frequently offers a route to a short feeling of confidence and
an availability to start the hunt.
3) Exploration: when conflicting, contradictory information is experienced,
vulnerability, disarray, and uncertainty as often as possible increment
and individuals wind up "in the plunge" of certainty.
4) Formulation: when an engaged point of view is framed, vulnerability
lessens as certainty increments.
5) Collection: when information related to the engaged point of view is
assembled, vulnerability dies down as intrigue and inclusion extends.
6) Presentation: at the point when the chase is done with another
understanding enabling the person to illuminate his or her make sense of
how

 Kuhlthau characterized the first stage, initiationas the stage when a person becomes aware that information will be needed to “complete an assignment”. This stage of the information seeking process is filled with feelings of apprehension and uncertainty. In the next stage, selectionwhere a person has chosen an idea, topic, or problem to proceed. At this point, the person is now less uncertain, and feels a sense of optimism and a readiness to start the information search process. The third stage, the exploration process, is when students or information seekers become confused when they encounter “inconsistent or incompatible” information. It is at this point that information seekers may become discouraged, express feelings of doubt and plan of abandoning their search process. Kuhlthau considers this stage as the most difficult stage. The fourth stage namely focus formulation, which is considered as the key point, states that a focused perspective is formed, and uncertainty gradually decreases, and clarity is achieved. The information seeker starts to evaluate the gathering information. At this point, a focused perspective begins to form and there is not as much confusion and uncertainty as in earlier stages Formulation is considered to be the most important stage of the process. The information seeker will here formulate a personalized construction of the topic from the general information gathered in the exploration phase. The fifth stage, collectionwhere information seeker gather the information which is relevant to the topic. At this point, the information seeker understands about the direction; he or she must have confidences. Consequently his/her uncertainty diminishes and becomes interested and deeply involved in the search process. At this point, confidence grows in the search process. The sixth stage, presentation is when the individual has completed the information search and information seekers prepare to present or use their findings that were found through the process. They experience relief and a sense of satisfaction if the search process is successful or disappointed if they feel that the search was a failure. Kuhlthau states that these stages ofthe ISP encompass three aspects -“the affective" i.e feelings, the cognitive, i.e thoughts, the physical, i.e actions.