Searching styles and feelings : A study of the information seeking process in school

The aim of this master’s thesis is in part to investigate how pupils act and experience their information seeking in connection with a school task, and in part to identify which factors influence the information process. The essay’s theoretical framework is based upon Carol C. Kuhlthau’s model of the process of information seeking where actions, thoughts and feelings are regarded as integrated parts. Over and above these, we add a series of factors which influence pupils’ information seeking to this model. These factors are elucidated on the basis of earlier research, and we emphasize in particular the considerations of Louise Limberg and Mikael Alexandersson since they are contextualised in the school situation. Combined methods have been applied in this investigation. Through observation and interviews we have been able to explore how pupils set about seeking for information, and by interviewing we have reflected upon the pupils’ experiences of information seeking. Through observation and interviews we have even attempted to clarify what affects pupils’ information seeking. Our main result shows that there are variations among pupils’ information seeking and even how they experience this process. The different styles of seeking are mirrored in their actions, thoughts and emotions. One conclusion that can be drawn from our result is that pupils require supervision, support and understanding of the tension that can often occur in relation to seeking information. Another conclusion is that pupils who cooperate with one another experience fewer episodes of tension and that information seeking is perceived to be easier and learning more pleasurable.Uppsatsnivå: