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***** To join INSNA, visit http://www.insna.org ***** An observation to consider, however, and one I think may be present in current information seeking behavior is the role the Internet and search tools more generically play in modern information gathering behavior. From a network perspective this is different than "asking your friends" and different as well from "asking dedicated experts" (i.e. librarians). In the example of Doctors, in 1966 this wasn't a realistic or viable option, but I would suspect strongly that "do a Google search" followed by "search on WebMD" (and perhaps other dedicated medical online resources) would now be the first behavior for many doctors (and patients) when facing uncertainty, often probably even before consulting with others and almost certainly before turning to specific point resources (a given journal, specific books/literature etc) Also, consider the nature of inquiries into groups such as SOCNET. These are not queries to a single person - i.e. one on one relationships, but neither are they impersonal requests to a non-person resource (looking up in the index of a reference work etc.) - there is a "network" component - but one that is to some degree different than individuals. I haven't seen this in any of the literature I have read in the field, but it strikes me that mailing lists and other groups - especially when the participants list is large and most "members" are unknown to each other - represents an aspect of networks that should be considered, I think when present groups such as SOCNET change the dynamics of the network of relationships in crucial ways. In a similar manner, large associative relationships without prior personal connection - such as an alumni network or in the business world the "McKinsey" network people who have worked for McKinsey in the past - represent active, and very real parts of the social network for their members. In the specific case of information gathering, I know I have met many people who described how they very pro-actively used such networks when gathering information - the network relationship serving as a quick path to people otherwise unconnected. With the importance of the relationship being the action taken by the other party, which differed had the relationship not be mentioned and utilized. Fascinating topic, hope this is helpful. Shannon Shannon Clark Founder, MeshForum "Connecting Networks" www.meshforum.org Join us May 1-3, 2005 in Chicago -----Original Message----- From: Social Networks Discussion Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gad Yair Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 12:16 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: RE: people's information-seeking-behavior -- libraries versus friends ***** To join INSNA, visit http://www.insna.org ***** Hello Edith! Always start with a root. Hence, look at Medical Innovation by Coleman, Katz and Menzel, 1966. Especially focus on chapter 5 (The Doctor's Decision). The book shows that under conditions of uncertainty (caused by medical innovation), doctors talk to the Detail Man, read Journals and Drug-House information. They further show that occupied with this objective information doctors then turn to their community of peers and conform to others' decision. In Weber's terms, information is akin to conditions for practice; but networks constitute the switchmen who decide the specifics of action and concrete decisions. This is the nutshell. Go for the real thing. Gad Gad Yair Department of Sociology & Anthropology School of Education Rothberg School of Foreign Students Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem 91905 ISRAEL [log in to unmask] voice: 972-25883333 fax: 972-25324339 cell: 0507669391 -----Original Message----- From: Social Networks Discussion Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bill Richards Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 7:17 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: people's information-seeking-behavior -- libraries versus friends ***** To join INSNA, visit http://www.insna.org ***** Edith <[log in to unmask]> wrote to ask: Hello, Can you recommend relevant articles regarding Social networks analysis, dealing specifically with the subject of people's information-seeking-behavior as related to libraries versus turning to friends for information? Thanks so much, Edith. _____________________________________________________________________ SOCNET is a service of INSNA, the professional association for social network researchers (http://www.insna.org). To unsubscribe, send an email message to [log in to unmask] containing the line UNSUBSCRIBE SOCNET in the body of the message. _____________________________________________________________________ SOCNET is a service of INSNA, the professional association for social network researchers (http://www.insna.org). To unsubscribe, send an email message to [log in to unmask] containing the line UNSUBSCRIBE SOCNET in the body of the message. _____________________________________________________________________ SOCNET is a service of INSNA, the professional association for social network researchers (http://www.insna.org). To unsubscribe, send an email message to [log in to unmask] containing the line UNSUBSCRIBE SOCNET in the body of the message.