Book | Chapter
Which approaches and methods are most appropriate for exploring health information behaviour?
pp. 144-153
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to establish the approaches preferred in studies focusing on online health information seeking behaviour (OHISB). Based on the content analysis of 70 articles on OHISB retrieved from EBSCOhost databases, five larger groups of studies were identified: (1) quantitative approach (39%), (2) qualitative research (25%), (3) mixed methods design (9%), (4) meta-analysis and bibliometric aspect (10%) and (5) other studies (e.g., theoretical aspect, online health information quality). Thus, quantitative research does dominate, but only to a degree. The qualitative aspect has grown considerably over time. Subject to the analysed literature, it may be concluded that the mixed methods seem to have generated the most comprehensive approach for studying OHISB in all its variety and complexity. However, this design was in fact least used in the analysed studies compared to quantitative and qualitative research.
Publication details
Published in:
Kurbanolu Serap, Boustany Joumana, Grassian Esther, Mizrachi Diane, Roy Loriene (2019) Information literacy in everyday life: 6th European conference, ecil 2018, oulu, finland, september 24–27, 2018, revised selected papers. Dordrecht, Springer.
Pages: 144-153
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-13472-3_14
Full citation:
Paimre Marianne (2019) „Which approaches and methods are most appropriate for exploring health information behaviour?“, In: S. Kurbanolu, J. Boustany, E. Grassian, D. Mizrachi & L. Roy (eds.), Information literacy in everyday life, Dordrecht, Springer, 144–153.