Searching is both directed and active information seeking. It entails intentional attempts to retrieve information or learn about a topic.

Searching Mode of Information Seeking

Monitoring is directed and passive information seeking. A user who is monitoring has an interest or question in mind, but does not actively search for information. They wait for relevant information to appear.

Monitoring Mode of Information Seeking

Browsing is undirected and active information seeking. A user who is browsing actively exposes themselves to information, but does not have a specific information need in mind. 

Browsing Mode of Information Seeking

Being aware is both undirected and passive information seeking. A user who is simply aware does not have a specific information need in mind, nor do they attempt to retrieve information. They take in informational inputs as they are given to them.

Being Aware Mode of Information Seeking

The dispositions for information seeking combine in a matrix to create four modes of information seeking:
- Searching
- Monitoring
- Browsing
- Being Aware

San Jose State University

A user has an active disposition when they intend to find information (as opposed to a passive disposition).

Active Disposition for Information Seeking

A user has a passive disposition (as opposed to an active disposition) when they do not actively seek information but are available to accept it.

Passive Disposition for Information Seeking

A user has a directed disposition when they are seeking specific information (as opposed to undirected).

Directed Disposition for Information Seeking

A user has an undirected disposition (as opposed to a directed disposition) when they are seeking information without a specific item in mind.

Undirected Disposition for Information Seeking

Bates, M. J. (2002). Toward an integrated model of information seeking and searching. New Review of Information Behaviour Research, 3, 1-15, from https://pages.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/bates/articles/info_SeekSearch-i-030329.html

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