[Asis-l] SIG USE 2003 Research Symposium - Call for Participation

[Karen Fisher]

3rd Annual Research Symposium of the 
Special Interest Group on Information Needs, Seeking, and Use (SIG USE) of
the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIST)

Saturday, October 18, 2003, 1-6 pm
Westin Hotel, Long Beach, CA


THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS OF INFORMATION BEHAVIOR:
RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS

Call for Participation

Researchers of information behavior (IB) are among the heaviest users of
theory within information science (Pettigrew & McKechnie, 2001, JASIS&T,
52.1, 62-73; McKechnie, et. al.,  2000, New Review of Information Behaviour
Research, 2, 47-63).  The 2003 SIG USE Research Symposium will examine
theoretical frameworks used for studying information behavior, in
particular, the conceptual constructs, measures and methods implied by
particular theories.

The symposium will begin with an introductory presentation by Marcia Bates,
Professor, UCLA. Under the leadership of experienced researchers, who used a
particular theory in their research, participants will work in small groups
to discuss selected theories and identify their strengths and limitations
for studying information behavior.  Through this process, participants will
gain deeper understandings of different theories and be able to apply them
in more valid and fruitful ways in their own research.  Ultimately, the
symposium may produce a collection of guidelines that researchers might use
for theory-based investigations of information behavior. 

Those wishing to participate in the symposium should submit a 1 page
synopsis (about 300 words) of their current work or interests in
theory-driven information behavior research.  Experienced researchers should
summarize their use of a particular theory(s) in the study of information
behavior.  Those new to the field should describe their research interests
in information behavior and reflect upon the type of theory that they would
like to use in their work.  Formal papers are not expected; the symposium
will follow a seminar format focusing on participant discussion.  Synopses
will be posted online prior to the meeting and will be used to organize
small-group discussions and identify the discussion leaders.

The synopsis should be emailed to the symposium organizers by August 1,
2002.  Participants will be notified by August 15.  Participation is limited
to 40 people, and participants must register for the symposium (Early
registration fees: $40 SIG USE members; $50 for ASIST members; $65 for
non-members).

Symposium organizers:  Sanda Erdelez, School of Information Science and
Learning Technologies, University of Missouri-Columbia, ErdelezS at missouri,
and Karen E. Fisher, The Information School, University of Washington,
fisher at u.washington.edu 

****************************************************************
Karen Fisher (nee Pettigrew)
Asst. Professor
The Information School, University of Washington
Box 352840, Seattle, WA  98195-2840
Voice: (206) 543-6238; Fax: (206) 616-3152
Email: fisher at u.washington.edu  

http://www.ischool.washington.edu/fisher/
http://www.si.umich.edu/libhelp/