Most health communication studies have focused on how source-channel use relates to information seeking and use. This research has assumed information seeking and use are social-psychological processes but has rarely studied the processes themselves. Little qualitative work has been done to reveal complexities. In contrast, library and information science (LIS) researchers also conduct information behavior research with substantial work using qualitative situationally contextualized wholistic approaches. LIS has, however, rarely focused on health contexts.
This dissertation aimed to: 1) bring research developments from LIS to bear on health communication studies; and 2) compare two qualitative approaches to grounded theorizing: Schatzman’s grounded theory dimensional analysis and Dervin's Sense-Making Methodology situational contingency analysis. Both were applied to 81 in-depth interviews with university faculty and students.
Schatzman’s dimensional analysis produced a model of situated information seeking and use, showing health information seeking and use as processes with four dimensions – contexts, conditions, actions/behaviors and outcomes. Situated in specific situations defined by related contextual factors, informants engaged in three major actions – entering situations, identifying information needs and getting source inputs. Information behaviors were conditioned by barriers that blocked access to sources or compromised source helpfulness. Informants used different criteria to judge relevance of sources, channels, information contents, and situations. Informants saw source inputs as helping them in various ways, and occasionally, as hindering. They also reported learning special lessons.
Dervin's Sense-Making Methodology situational contingency analysis revealed a consonant but complex picture. In general, situation was a far better predictor than academic rank, associating best with information needs, helps sought and helps gained from sources. Academic rank related most strongly to helps sought and sources used. Academic rank also related to information needs and helps from sources but only in some situations.
The two approaches answered different questions. Schatzman’s dimensional analysis produced a model explaining behavior at a general level. Dervin’s situational contingency analysis displayed a more situated picture focusing on specific moments of situation facing. Taken together, the two approaches showed potentials of grounded theorizing approaches generally, and different implementations, in enhancing health communication theorizing and better understanding situated heath information seeking and use.