Growth of theories on information seeking: An analysis of growth of a theoretical research program on the relation between task complexity and information seeking

摘要

The aim of this article is to analyse the growth of a theoretical research program in the field of information needs and seeking studies. The program consists of a set of interrelated studies on the effects of task complexity on information source use. The growth is assessed by reconstructing the logical structure of the theories within the program and by comparing those reconstructions in terms of their conceptual and factual similarity. The growth pattern is then analysed by using Wagner's and Berger's model of theory growth from sociology. The analysis reveals the growth pattern of the program. The results indicate that the chosen program is progressive in terms of empirical support and precision of the theories, and that the growth pattern is elaborative. Moreover, based on the analysis consequences for further studies are presented.