The concept of 'Information Encountering' (IE) was introduced in the domain information behaviour literature by Sanda Erdelez in 1997, where she proposed a conceptual framework for facilitating systematic study of IE. Identify the three key elements proposed by Erdelez in her study

(i) Characteristics of the information user

(ii) Characteristics of information-seeking habit 

(iii) Characteristics of information environment 

(iv) Characteristics of encountered information

Choose the correct answer from the following options: 

The Correct answer is (i), (iii), and (iv) are correct.

Key Points

• In 1997, Sanda Erdelez introduced Information Encountering (IE), a conceptual framework for unintentional information discovery.
• This framework enables a systematic examination of IE, employing a four-dimensional analysis encompassing the information user, environment, encountered information, and the information needs fulfilled through encountering.
• The Structure of Information Encountering:
  • the information user who encounters the information.
  • the environment where the information encountering occurred.
  • the characteristics of the information encountered; and
  • the characteristics of the information needs that the information encountering addresses.