When "information foraging," a continuum of two foraging strategies can be identified:

- Specialists 
- Generalists 


Types of Foraging Strategies

Optimal foraging theory outlines the process by which individuals handle information sources when seeking out information, especially in the networked environment. The foundational assumption is that when seeking and assessing information, the researcher prioritizes their self-interest, making information seeking a very individualistic process. 

Georgetown University

Models of information behavior are general or specific representations of information behavior. They often use a diagram to depict the steps or stages used in information seeking. 
- Berrypickig
- Ellis Model
- Everyday Life Information Seeking (ELIS)
- Information Search Process (ISP)
- Hektor Model
- Information Behavior in Serious Leisure
- Sense-Making Model
- Optimal Foraging Theory
- Model of the Information-Seeking of Professionals 

Models of Information Behavior

Kundu, D. (2017). Models of Information Seeking Behaviour: A Comparative Study. International Journal of Library and Information Studies, 7(4), 393–405. https://doi.org/ISSN: 2231-4911 

Sense-Making Approach to Information Seeking Reference Node

The information search process (ISP) is a six-stage model of a user’s process while information seeking.

Information Search Process (ISP)

A model created by David Ellis that consists of the non-sequential steps taken by someone doing research.

Ellis Model

Berrypicking is a model of search in which the user collects pieces of information using a variety of strategies over the course of an evolving search.

Berrypicking Search Model

A model that describes nonoccupational interactions with information. This model looks at how society and culture impact a person’s source preferences.

Everyday Life Information Seeking (ELIS)

A model of information behavior created by Anders Hektor that uses four different information behaviors and eight different information activities. The information activities are classified under one or two of the information behaviors.

Hektor Model

Information behavior in serious leisure is a methodology used in library and information science that applies the sociological research by Robert A. Stebbins and the information behavior model of Anders Hektor to studies of how hobbyists, amateurs, and volunteers engage with information. This framework classifies three types of leisure activity learning, casual, and project-based.  

Information Behavior in Serious Leisure

Optimal Foraging Theory

A model that attempts to understand the behavior of those seeking information depending on their work roles. The model was developed on the basis of a study conducted by Leckie et al. (1996) on individuals from a variety of professions, ranging from librarians to nurses to engineers. A set of characteristics of information needs were developed to outline the factors that may influence the information search process depending on the profession. 

Model of the Information-Seeking of Professionals

Sense-making is a methodology for assessing user needs in libraries pioneered by Brenda Dervin. This methodology focuses on how people interact with information and knowledge personally, among others, or over communication technology. This methodology has been used to guide user research and interviews with the goal of creating research informed practices in both. A common application of this methodology is the Sense-Making Triangle.

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