Abstract:

[Purpose/Significance] This study aims to differentiate and analyze the various concepts in the domain of information behavior and predict the future development of this domain. [Design/Methodology] This study reviews previous research and constructs a conceptual model. [Findings/Conclusion] This study divides the domain of information behavior into three subdomains, including information seeking, information encountering, and information avoidance. For each subdomain, important concepts are interpreted and distinguished, and related studies are organized and reviewed. The future development of the information behavior domain is predicted based on a comprehensive review of all three subdomains. [Originality/Value] The study constructs a model showing the relationships among information seeking, information encountering, and information avoidance and their key concepts in the form of a nested diagram.

Key words: Information behavior, Information seeking, Information encountering, Information avoidance, Conceptual space of the information behavior domain