The effects of task complexity on the relationship between information types acquired and infortmation sources used. The New Review of Information Behaviour Research, Vol. 1, 85-101

Publications:

Byström, K. (2000) The effects of task complexity on the relationship between information types acquired and infortmation sources used. The New Review of Information Behaviour Research, Vol. 1, 85-101.

Abstract:

This paper presents the research findings of a study on task complexity and information seeking in a work task context and a proposed model based on these and related earlier findings. The focus is on perceived task complexity, which is regarded as a combination of both task and individual characteristics and is operationalised in terms of a priori determinability of information inputs, processing and outputs. This view on task complexity is closely related to research considering task uncertainty and analysability. Information seeking was looked upon as a need to acquire certain type of information and utilisation of certain types of sources. The results were mainly based on self-recorded journals filled out by municipal administrators in the course of performing their ordinary work duties (altogether 78 task diaries) and subsequent interviews. The main results indicated that there is a relatively strong relationship between types of information and types of sources. The effects of task complexity made certain type of sources, experts, more attractive than other people and documentary sources. The paper concludes with a proposed model on relationships between task complexity, information types and information sources.