Yan Zhang
Beyond quality and accessibility: Source selection in consumer health information searching
The University of Texas at Austin
systematic understanding factors criteria affect consumers selection sources health information necessary design effective health information services information systems however current studies overly focused source attributes indicators 2 criteria source quality accessibility overlooked role factors criteria help determine source selection fill gap guided decisionmaking theories cognitive perspective information search interviewed 30 participants reasons using wide range sources health information additionally asked report critical incident sources selected fulfill specific information need based analysis transcripts 5 categories factors identified influential source selection sourcerelated factors userrelated factors usersource relationships characteristics problematic situation social influences addition dozen criteria mediate influence factors sourceselection decisions identified including accessibility quality usability interactivity relevance usefulness familiarity affection anonymity appropriateness results significantly expanded current understanding nature costs benefits involved sourceselection decisions strongly indicated personalized approach needed information services information systems provide effective access health information sources consumers