Information-seeking behaviour of antique dealers : a qualitative interview study

This an explorative interview study of the information-seeking behaviour of a group of antique dealers. Using a qualitative approach, the aim of the study is to gain a deeper understanding of how antique dealers describe their search for information. This is accomplished using semi-structured interviews. The transcriptions of these interviews were analyzed using the theory constructed by Leckie, Pettigrew and Sylvain (1996) to describe the information seeking of professionals. Previous studies have elucidated the information-seeking behaviour of other professionals within the arts sector. Our findings build upon those findings and specifically examines the informationseeking-behaviour of antique dealers in relation to various factors affecting their practices. The results of this study reveals several implications of what precedes an information search, as well as the procedure of information seeking for antique dealers. These implications include factors such as experience, workplace and assignments. In addition to this, differing views on knowledge were expressed by the respondents which reflected the depth of their tasks. Further findings were made regarding information as a commodity where information is regarded as something valuable. In conclusion antique dealers’ information-seeking behaviour shifts depending on contexts and further research is essential in several areas of this study