Reflecting on two decades of information horizons theory and method: applications and innovations

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Authors

Greenberg, Jane
Sonnenwald, Diane H.
Hartel, Jenna
Montague, Kaitlin
Fourie, Ina

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley

Abstract

Information horizons is a theory and method that embraces behavioral, cognitive and social aspects of information seeking, sharing, and use. As the first method originating in information science that uses a graphical data collection technique (Hartel, 2016), it has served as the underpinning methodology for numerous investigations for over 20 years. The method is often applied in studies of diverse communities not traditionally included in research, such as lower socio-economic populations. Information horizons is also valuable in teaching master's and doctoral students about information behavior and importance of theoretical constructs. For example, over 700 master's students at the University of Toronto have completed exploratory, empirical studies using the method. A strength of the method is its extensibility; researchers have extended and adapted the method for use with different populations and to investigate different types of information behavior. This panel will explore the varied applications of the information horizon method, engage the audience in open discussion about the information horizons method for research and teaching, and explore how theoretical and methodological approaches can be more effectively shared across the information science and related communities.

Description

Paper presented at the 86th Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Oct. 27 – 31, 2023, London, United Kingdom.

Keywords

Information horizons, Mixed methods study, Lower socio-economic communities, Teaching, Research

Sustainable Development Goals

None

Citation

Greenberg, J., Sonnenwald, D.H., Hartel, J. et al. 2023, 'Reflecting on Two Decades of Information Horizons Theory and Method: Applications and Innovations', Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, vol. 60, no. 1, pp. 780-784, doi : 10.1002/pra2.860.