초록

In this study the author examines the health information seeking behavior of older adults from the perspective of cognitive load. Using a qualitative method, based on ground theory, data were collected using in-depth interviews. Twenty-eight participants were participating older adults living in G community city, South Korea who experienced seeking health information. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative thematic coding framework. Three themes describing older adults’ health information seeking behaviors were focused: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive load. The findings are geared towards the context of older adults’ information seeking to support an understanding of successful information seeking behaviors in this population and to contribute to their health and well-being. The intent is to present information on current research in the field of Library and Information Science and to demonstrate how a cognitive load approach can be used to address the problems of older adults’ health information seeking behaviors.

Abstract

In this study the author examines the health information seeking behavior of older adults from the perspective of cognitive load. Using a qualitative method, based on ground theory, data were collected using in-depth interviews. Twenty-eight participants were participating older adults living in G community city, South Korea who experienced seeking health information. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative thematic coding framework. Three themes describing older adults’ health information seeking behaviors were focused: intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive load. The findings are geared towards the context of older adults’ information seeking to support an understanding of successful information seeking behaviors in this population and to contribute to their health and well-being. The intent is to present information on current research in the field of Library and Information Science and to demonstrate how a cognitive load approach can be used to address the problems of older adults’ health information seeking behaviors.