From Information Seeking Behavior to Knowledge Seeking Behavior: Analysis of Conceptual and Theoretical Evolution

Abstract

Humans do different behaviors to meet their needs constantly. These behaviors are different and each of them constitutes subject of disciplines such as psychology, sociology, management, art, knowledge and information science, and some specialized sub-disciplines of them. Investigating information behaviors and knowledge behaviors are favorite subjects in knowledge and information science. These behaviors show the main elements of user activity to interact with information and knowledge as well as retrieval systems. This paper with considering the importance of these concepts tries to review the literature through analytical and discussed concepts such as data, information, knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence. Afterward, the prerequisites for the formation of knowledge-seeking behavior are expressed and defined as knowledge-seeking behavior and differentiation with information-seeking behavior. The surveys showed that the concept of knowledge-seeking behavior is an important concept and is very wide so that we can expect to open a new area in literature and research in various fields especially in knowledge and information science. It is necessary to develop and regulate the frameworks in this field.