Knowledge Commons of National Science Library,CAS
Information behavior in the mobile environment: A study of undergraduate smartphone users in China | |
LIU Ziming1; HUANG Xiaobing2; FU Yue’an2; Ziming Liu (E-mail:Ziming.Liu@sjsu.edu) | |
2014-12-24 | |
Source Publication | Chinese Journal of Library and Information Science
![]() |
Volume | 7Issue:4Pages:1-15 |
Abstract | Purpose: As smartphones become ubiquitous, it is important to understand emerging information behavior as a result of wide spread use of smartphones. The purpose of this study is to investigate information behavior in the mobile environment by studying undergraduate smartphone users in China. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on a survey of 205 undergraduate students in China. Findings: Smartphones are used predominantly for accessing news and connecting to social media, rather than for academic purposes such as accessing library resources or researching. While students use smartphones for reading e-books, much of this reading is recreational during their spare time. Research limitations: The inherent limitations of self-reported measures and the small sample size of this study mean that the results cannot be generalized across different age groups and cultures. Practical implications: When targeting users on the move, information professionals should be aware that the needs and behaviors of smartphone readers are significantly different compared to users of fixed devices, and should provide services in a mobile-friendly way.
Originality/value: The younger generation is accustomed to instant information access. For libraries to relevant, they must redesign their services. It is important for libraries to leverage the strengths of mobile technology and to balance traditional services with mobile delivery. Even though many mobile users will use desktop or laptop computers to access library resources, they will benefit from the availability of mobile-friendly library services. ; Purpose: As smartphones become ubiquitous, it is important to understand emerging information behavior as a result of wide spread use of smartphones. The purpose of this study is to investigate information behavior in the mobile environment by studying undergraduate smartphone users in China.Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on a survey of 205 undergraduate students in China. Findings: Smartphones are used predominantly for accessing news and connecting to social media, rather than for academic purposes such as accessing library resources or researching. While students use smartphones for reading e-books, much of this reading is recreational during their spare time. Research limitations: The inherent limitations of self-reported measures and the small sample size of this study mean that the results cannot be generalized across different age groups and cultures. Practical implications: When targeting users on the move, information professionals should be aware that the needs and behaviors of smartphone readers are significantly different compared to users of fixed devices, and should provide services in a mobile-friendly way.
Originality/value: The younger generation is accustomed to instant information access. For libraries to relevant, they must redesign their services. It is important for libraries to leverage the strengths of mobile technology and to balance traditional services with mobile delivery. Even though many mobile users will use desktop or laptop computers to access library resources, they will benefit from the availability of mobile-friendly library services. |
Subtype | Research Paper |
Keyword | Information Behavior Mobile Environment Smartphone China |
Subject Area | 新闻学与传播学 ; 图书馆、情报与文献学 |
URL | 查看原文 |
Indexed By | 其他 |
Language | 英语 |
Document Type | 期刊论文 |
Identifier | http://ir.las.ac.cn/handle/12502/7621 |
Collection | Journal of Data and Information Science_Chinese Journal of Library and Information Science-2014 |
Corresponding Author | Ziming Liu (E-mail:Ziming.Liu@sjsu.edu) |
Affiliation | 1.School of Information, San Jose State University, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192-0029, USA 2.School of Information Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China |
First Author Affilication | 中国科学院文献情报中心 |
Recommended Citation GB/T 7714 | LIU Ziming,HUANG Xiaobing,FU Yue’an,et al. Information behavior in the mobile environment: A study of undergraduate smartphone users in China[J]. Chinese Journal of Library and Information Science,2014,7(4):1-15. |
APA | LIU Ziming,HUANG Xiaobing,FU Yue’an,&Ziming Liu .(2014).Information behavior in the mobile environment: A study of undergraduate smartphone users in China.Chinese Journal of Library and Information Science,7(4),1-15. |
MLA | LIU Ziming,et al."Information behavior in the mobile environment: A study of undergraduate smartphone users in China".Chinese Journal of Library and Information Science 7.4(2014):1-15. |
Files in This Item: | Download All | |||||
File Name/Size | DocType | Version | Access | License | ||
1-Liu Ziming.pdf(5028KB) | 期刊论文 | 出版稿 | 开放获取 | CC BY-NC-ND | View Download |
Items in the repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
Edit Comment