Abstract:

In current state of complex information environment and various information seeking  methods for individuals, the nonlinear characteristic of information seeking behavior is increasingly obvious. Based on dynamic and complicated nonlinear thinking, this paper analyzes the factors that influence cognitive, context and task in information seeking behavior. Then, by combining with activity, actions and operations of Leont’ev’s hierarchical structure and Engestrm’s activity theory model in activity theory, this paper proposes a nonlinear information seeking behavior concept model, which includes an interaction between three levels and six elements of activity theory. Element analysis is the main way to describe information seeking behavior. Moreover,  this paper using the model to analyze health information seeking behavior, which describe the elements of the model, including hierarchical structure, subject, object, instrument, rules, community and division of labor systematically. The results indicate that it can effectively describe the process of information seeking behavior by integrating some factors in the element analysis of activity theory. The factors that can be taken into account are intrinsic factors and context in users’ cognition and extrinsic factors in task. The purpose of this paper is to provide theoretical support for the further research on nonlinear information seeking behavior, information service and interactive system design.

Key words: Activity theory, Nonlinear, Information seeking behavior, Affecting factors, Concept model, Health information seeking