“Talking with You: Exploring Interpersonal Information-seeking” was recently funded by the National Science Foundation. The study explores why people turn to other people for everyday information ranging from finding new jobs and lower mortgages, to healthcare, housing, childcare, social activities, and other aspects of daily life. It aims to expand empirical and theoretical knowledge of interpersonal information-seeking with a long-term focus on devising ways for improving information systems.

The study is being conducted in 2005 using a naturalistic approach that is yielding rich insights into two groups of people (stay-at-home mothers and preteens) to discern key aspects of their everyday information behavior, particularly regarding interpersonal information seeking over different synchronous and asynchronous media (e.g., face-to-face, telephone, email, chat rooms, newsgroups, etc). Using a grounded theory approach along with Fisher's theory of information grounds, Chatman’s theory of normative behavior, and Friedman’s value sensitive design, data is being collected using multiple methods, including different forms of observation, interviews, participant diary-keeping, and focus groups with approximately 15-20 participants for each population. Data is being collected in-person and/or online depending on the nature of each group and which methods appear most viable. During field observation, participants’ interactions with other people are being watched for incidents of information sharing while contextual background evidence also is being gathered. During interviews participants are asked questions, such as with whom do they discuss particular situations (finding a job, illness, childcare needs, relationships, home maintenance, etc.,) and why, how they can tell if someone needs information, how they personally manage everyday information, etc. Potential participants are being located at information grounds—places where they gather naturally for an activity but subsequently engage in information-sharing. Data collection and analysis is occuring iteratively and being combined with the generation of theoretical propositions.

The study results will be used to derive the initial framework for a theoretical model of interpersonal information-seeking that will be highly relevant to scholars and professionals working in any field related to the design and delivery of information systems and services. These fields range from information science and computer science to business, engineering, medicine and healthcare, social work and education. To-date virtually no framework exists from a user and information perspective that can explain why people turn to other people for information and that can be used for supporting human behavior. The framework’s richness will stem from the study’s naturalistic and grounded theory approach together with its focus on a broad range of participants as they engage in daily life.