Abstract:

The study investigates how doctoral students in the social sciences manage their personal information collections (PIC) in academic contexts. Eleven participants were recruited from a public university in the United States. Oneonone interviews were conducted and recorded, together with screen shots showing how information collections were labeled and organized. Focusing on digital information collections, the study helped identify the tasks, actions, and strategies for managing PICs. Dominant patterns of PIC management also emerged. Based on the findings, suggestions are made for facilitating the PIC management.

Keywords: Personal information management, Doctoral students, Social sciences, Electronic information collection