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Reijo Savolainen

Professor Emerita/Emeritus
Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences | Communication Sciences
Tampere University
reijo.savolainen [at] tuni.fi (reijo[dot]savolainen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
City Centre Campus
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9609-3464

About me

Dr.Soc.Sc. Reijo Savolainen is Professor emeritus in the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Information Studies and Interactive Media (ITI), Tampere University.

Top achievements

Awards 

Main positions of trust

Professional activities 

Research unit

Information Studies and Interactive Media (ITI)

Research fields

  • Conceptual and methodological issues in research on information practices/ information behaviour 
  • Information needs, seeking, sharing and use 
  • Information seeking and sharing in social media

Selected publications

ResearchGate 

Academia.edu 

Google Scholar 

Tampere University Research Portal  

Everyday life information seeking: what makes this paper great? A video created by Professor Jenna Hartel (Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, Canada)

Selected publications  

(updated 18 June 2024) 

2024

  • Approaching information-seeking habits and their contextual features. Information Research, 29(2), 2024. Full text.
  • Fact-checking of political information about the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Journal of Documentation, 80(7), 2024, pp. 78-97. Full text.

2023

  • Seeking and sharing information about the threat of nuclear war. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science (published online 29 December 2023). Full text.
  • Defending and refuting information sources rhetorically: the case of COVID-19 vaccination. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 55(4), 2023, pp. 999-1014. Full text.
  • Assessing the informational credibility of conspiracy theories: online discussion about the Nord Stream damage. Aslib Journal of Information Management (published online 6 October 2023). Full text. 
  • Everyday life as an evolving context of information behaviour. Aslib Journal of Information Management, 75(5), 2023, pp. 940-960. Full text.
  • Assessing the credibility of COVID-19 vaccine mis/disinformation in online discussion. Journal of Information Science, 49(4), 2023, pp. 1096-1110. Full text.
  • Exploring the informational elements of opinion answers: the case of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Information Research, 28(2), 2023. Full text.
  • Assessing the credibility of information sources in times of uncertainty: online debate about Finland's NATO membership. Journal of Documentation, 79(7), 2023, pp. 30-50. Full text.
  • Ensimmäisen vuoden lukiolaiset rokotekielteisen verkkotekstin retoristen keinojen arvioijina (co-authors: Teemu Mikkonen and Eero Sormunen). Kasvatus, 54(1), 2023, pp. 20-33. Abstract in Finnish.

2022

  • Afterword: manifestations of joy of information in everyday information behavior research. Library Trends, 70(4), 2002, pp. 669-676.Defending and refuting information sources rhetorically: the case of COVID-19 vaccination. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. Full text (published online 5 August 2022). 
  • What drives people to prefer health-related misinformation? The viewpoint of motivated reasoning. Information Research, 27(2), 2022. Full text.
  • Infotainment as a hybrid of information and entertainment: a conceptual analysis. Journal of Documentation, 78(4), 2022, pp. 953-970. Abstract.
  • Assessing the theoretical potential of an expanded model for everyday information practices (co-author: Leslie Thomson). Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 73(4), 2022, pp. 511-527. Abstract.
  • Sharing experiential information in online discussion: the case of coping with the COVID-19 epidemic. Journal of Documentation, 78(2), 2022, pp. 416-434. Abstract.
  • Cognitive authority as an instance of informational and expert power. Libri, 72(1), 2022, pp. 1-18. Abstract. 

2021

  • Assessing the credibility of COVID-19 vaccine mis/disinformation in online discussion. Journal of Information Science (published online 19 August 2021). Full text.
  • Levels of critique in models and concepts of human information behaviour research. Aslib Journal of Information Management 73(5), 2021, pp. 772-791. Full text.
  • Expert power as a constituent of opinion leadership: a conceptual analysis. Information Research, 26(2), 2021. 
  • Book review. Wilson, T.D. Exploring information behaviour: an introduction Sheffield, UK: T.D. Wilson, 2021. Information Research, 26(2), 2021.
  • Information landscapes as contexts of information practices. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 53(4), 2021, pp. 655-667. Full text.   

2020

  • For or against Brexit? Justifying oppositional arguments in online discussion. Information Research , 25(3), 2020.
  • Dialogue processes in online information seeking and sharing: a study of an asynchronous discussion group. Information Research , 25(3), 2020. 
  • Manifestations of expert power in gatekeeping: a conceptual study. Journal of Documentation, 76(6), 2020, pp. 1215-1232. Abstract.
  • Elaborating the sensory and cognitive-affective aspects of information experience. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 52(3), 2020, pp. 671-684. Abstract. 
  • Sharing information through book reviews in blogs: the viewpoint of Rosenblatt’s reader-response theory. Journal of Documentation, 76(2), 2020, pp. 440-461. Abstract.
  • Developing an empirical measure of everyday information mastering (co-authors: Jannica Heinström, Eero Sormunen & Stefan Ek). Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 71(7), 2020, pp. 729-741. Abstract. 
  • Information needs of drug users on a local dark Web marketplace (co-authors: Ari Haasio & J. Tuomas Harviainen). Information Processing & Management, 50(2), 2020. Abstract.  

2019 

  • Adopting situationally relevant modes of music information at different stages of information-seeking processes: a longitudinal investigation among music students (co-authors: Antti Rousi & Pertti Vakkari). Journal of Documentation, 75(6), 2019, pp. 1230-1257. Abstract. 
  • Modeling the interplay of information seeking and information sharing: a conceptual analysis. Aslib Journal of Information Management, 71(4), 2019, pp. 518-534. Abstract.  
  • Dialogical information interaction in diabetes-related online discussion. Information Research, 24(2), 2019.   
  • Seeking and sharing information dialogically: a conversation analytic study of asynchronous online talk. Journal of Documentation, 75(3), 2019, pp. 530-549. Abstract.

2018 

  • Pioneering models for information interaction in the context of information seeking and retrieval. Journal of Documentation, 74(5), (2018), pp. 966-986. Abstract.  
  • Berrypicking and information foraging: comparison of two theoretical frameworks for studying exploratory search. Journal of Information Science, 44(5), 2018, pp. 580-593. Abstract.  
  • Situational relevance of music information modes: an empirical investigation among Doctor of Music students (co-authors: Antti Rousi, Maaria Harviainen and Pertti Vakkari). Journal of Documentation, 74(5), (2018), pp. 1008-1024. Abstract.  
  • Self-determination and expectancy-value: comparison of cognitive psychological approaches to motivators for information seeking about job oportunities. Aslib Journal of Information Management, 70(1), 2018, pp. 123-140. Abstract.  
  • Information-seeking processes as temporal developments: comparison of stage-based and cyclic approaches. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 69(6),2018, pp. 787-797. Abstract.

2017 

  • Arkielämän tietokäytäntöjen tutkimusta kehittämässä. Jäähyväisluento Tampereen yliopistossa 22.11.2017. Informaatiotutkimus, 36(3-4), 2017, pp. 90-99.  
  • Everyday life information seeking. In: Encyclopedia of library and information sciences. 4th ed. Edited by John D. McDonald & Michael Levine-Clark. London: Taylor & Francis 2017, pp. 1506-1515. Abstract. 
  • Heuristic elements of information-seeking strategies and tactics: a conceptual analysis. Journal of Documentation, 73(6), 2017, pp. 1322-1342. Abstract.  
  • Information sharing and knowledge sharing as communicative activities. Information Research, 22(3), 2017.  
  • Assessing information ergonomics in work by logging and heart rate variability (co-authors: Jussi Okkonen, Tomi Heimonen & Markku Turunen). In: Advances in usability and user experience. Ed. by T. Ahram & C. Falcao. Heidelberg: Springer 2018, pp. 425-436 (Intelligent Systems and Computing; 607). Abstract. 
  • Contributions to conceptual growth: the elaboration of Ellis's model for information-seeking behavior. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 68(3), 2017, pp. 594-608. Abstract.  
  • Information need as trigger and driver of information seeking: a conceptual analysis. Aslib Journal of Information Management, 69(1), 2017, pp. 2-21. Abstract.  
  • Research in Information Science Award: everyday life information seeking. Bulletin of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 43(3), 2017, pp. 53-56. Abstract.

2016 

  • Approaching the affective barriers to information seeking: the viewpoint of appraisal theory. Information Research, 21(4), 2016.  
  • Information seeking and searching strategies as plans and patterns of action: a conceptual analysis. Journal of Documentation, 72(6), 2016, pp. 1154-1180. Abstract.  
  • Elaborating the conceptual space of information-seeking phenomena. Information Research, 21(3), 2016.  
  • Pictorial metaphors for information (co-author: Jenna Hartel). Journal of Documentation, 72(5), 2016, pp. 794-812. Abstract.  
  • Conceptual growth in integrated models for information behaviour. Journal of Documentation, 72(4), 2016), pp. 648-673. Abstract.  
  • Approaches to socio-cultural barriers to information seeking. Library and Information Science Research, 38(1), 2016, pp. 52-59. Abstract .  
  • A typology of music information for studies on information seeking (co-authors: Antti Mikael Rousi & Pertti Vakkari). Journal of Documentation, 72(2), 2016, pp. 265-276. Abstract.  
  • From library and information science through information studies to information studies and interactive media: emergence, expansion and integration of information studies at the University of Tampere illustrated in word clouds (co-authors: Ilkka Mäkinen, Kalervo Järvelin & Eero Sormunen). Information Research, 21(1), 2016.  
  • Developing measures for information ergonomics in knowledge work (co-authors: Heljä Franssila & Jussi Okkonen). Ergonomics, 59(3), 2016, pp. 435-448. Abstract.

2015 

  • Cognitive barriers to information seeking: A conceptual analysis. Journal of Information Science, 41(5), 2015, pp. 613-623. Abstract.  
  • The role of emotions in online information seeking and sharing: a case study of consumer awareness. Journal of Documentation, 71(6), 2015, pp. 1203-1227. Abstract. 
  • Task-based information interaction evaluation: the viewpoint of program theory (co-authors: Kalervo Järvelin, Pertti Vakkari, Paavo Arvola, Feza Baskaya, Anni Järvelin, Jaana Kekäläinen, Heikki Keskustalo, Sanna Kumpulainen, Miamaria Saastamoinen and Eero Sormunen ). ACM Transactions on Information Systems, 33(1), 2015, Article 3. Abstract. 
  • Providing informational support in an online discussion group and a Q&A site: the case of travel planning. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 66(3), 2015, pp. 450-461. Abstract.  
  • Approaching the affective factors of information seeking: the viewpoint of the Information Search Process model. Information Research, 20(1), 2015.  
  • Expressing emotions in information sharing: a study of online discussion about immigration. Information Research, 20(1), 2015. 
  • The interplay of affective and cognitive factors in information seeking and use: comparing Kuhlthau´s and Nahl´s models. Journal of Documentation, 71(1), 2015, pp. 175-197. Abstract.

2014 

  • Emotions as motivators for information seeking: A conceptual analysis. Library & Information Science Research, 36(1), 2014, pp. 59-65. Abstract .  
  • The use of rhetorical strategies in Q&A discussion. Journal of Documentation, 70(1), 2014, pp. 93-118. Abstract.  
  • Information as capability for action and capital in synthetic worlds (co-author: J. Tuomas Harviainen). Information Research, 19(4), 2014.


2013 

  • Approaching the motivators for information seeking: the viewpoint of attribution theories. Library & Information Science Research, 35(1), 2013, pp. 63-68. Abstract. 
  • Social phenomenology (co-author: Tom D. Wilson). In: Theory in information behaviour research. Ed. by T.D. Wilson. Sheffield: Eiconics Ltd 2013, pp. 141-158. 

2012 

  • The structure of argument patterns on a social Q&A site. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 63(12), 2012, pp. 2536-2548. Abstract . 
  • Conceptualizing information need in context. Information Research,17(4), 2012. 
  • Elaborating the motivational attributes of information need and uncertainty. Information Research, 17(2), 2012. 
  • Expectancy-value beliefs and information needs as motivators for task-based information seeking. Journal of Documentation, 68(4), 2012, pp. 492-511. Abstract. 
  • The formation of coordinative knowledge practices in distributed work: towards an explanatory model (co-authors: Heljä Franssila, Jussi Okkonen & Sanna Talja). Journal of Knowledge Management, 16(4), 2012, pp. 650-665. Abstract. 
  • Designing for knowledge creation work: an exemplar application of Sense-Making methodology (co-authors: Patricia Christina do Nascimento Souto & Brenda Dervin). Revista de Administracao e Inovacao, 9(2), 2012, pp. 271-294. Full text.


2011 

  • Judging the quality and credibility of information in Internet discussion forums. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 62(7), 2011, pp. 1243-1256. Abstract.  
  • Requesting and providing information in blogs and internet discussion forums. Journal of Documentation, 67(5), 2011, pp. 863-886. Abstract. 
  • Towards Library 2.0: the adoption of Web 2.0 technologies in public libraries (co-author: Ari-Veikko Anttiroiko). Libri, 61(2), 2011, pp. 87-99. Abstract. 
  • Asking and sharing information in the blogosphere: The case of slimming blogs. Library & Information Science Research, 33(1), 2011, pp. 73-79. Abstract.


2010 

  • Avoiding health information in the context of uncertainty management (co-author: Anu Sairanen). Information Research, 15(4), 2010. 
  • Dietary blogs as sites of informational and emotional support. Information Research, 15(4), 2010. 
  • On the connections between information use and learning process (co-author: Jarkko Kari). In: Practising information literacy. Bringing theories of learning, practice and information literacy together. Ed. by Annemaree Lloyd & Sanna Talja. Wagga Wagga, Australia: Charles Sturt University. Centre for Information Studies 2010, pp. 229-249. (first page preview). 
  • Source preference criteria in the context of everyday projects: relevance judgments made by prospective home buyers. Journal of Documentation, 66(1), 2010, pp. 70-92. Abstract.

2009 

  • Interpreting informational cues: an explorative study on information use among prospective homebuyers. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 60(11), 2009, pp. 2244-2254. Abstract. 
  • The information needs of prospective homebuyers: an exploratory study of apartment purchases in Finland. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 33(5), 2009, pp. 566-571. Abstract. 
  • Information use and information processing. Comparison of conceptualizations. Journal of Documentation, 65(2), 2009, pp. 187-207.  
  • The behaviour/practice debate: a discussion prompted by Tom Wilson's review of Reijo Savolainen's Everyday information practices: a social phenomenological perspective. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2008 (commentators: Tom D. Wilson, Michael Olsson, Mary Cavanagh, and "David"). Information Research, 14(2), 2009. 
  • Small world and information grounds as contexts of information seeking and sharing. Library & Information Science Research, 31(1), 2009, pp. 38-45. Abstract. 
  • Epistemic work and knowing in practice as conceptualizations of information use. Information Research, 14(1), 2009.


2008 

  • Autonomous, controlled and half-hearted. Unemployed people's motivations to seek information about jobs. Information Research, 13(4), 2008. 
  • Everyday information practices. A social phenomenological perspective. Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press, 2008. 232 pages. Abstract.  
  • Designing for knowledge worker informings: an exemplar application of Sense-Making methodology (co-authors: Patricia Souto and Brenda Dervin). In: ASIST 2008. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Columbus, Ohio, October 24-29, 2008. Full text. 
  • Source preferences in the context of seeking problem-specific information. Information Processing & Management, 44(1), 2008, pp. 274-293. Abstract.

2007 

  • Filtering and withdrawing: strategies for coping with information overload in everyday contexts. Journal of Information Science, 33(5), 2007, pp. 611-621. Abstract. 
  • Motives for giving information in non-work contexts and the expectations of reciprocity. The case of environmental activists. In: ASIST 2007. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 19-24, 2007. Full text. 
  • Information source horizons and source preferences of environmental activists: A social phenomenological approach. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 58(12), 2007, pp. 1709-1719. Abstract. 
  • Information behavior and information practice: reviewing the umbrella concepts of information-seeking studies. Library Quarterly, 77(2), 2007, pp. 109-132. Abstract.  
  • Media credibility and cognitive authority. The case of seeking orienting information. Information Research, 12(3), 2007. 
  • Relationships between information seeking and context: a qualitative study of Internet searching and the goals of personal development (co-author: Jarkko Kari). Library & Information Science Research, 29(1), 2007, pp. 47-69. Abstract.

2006 

  • User-defined relevance criteria in Web searching (co-author: Jarkko Kari). Journal of Documentation, 62(6), 2006, pp. 685-707. Abstract. 
  • Spatial factors as contextual qualifiers of information seeking. Information Research, 11(4), 2006. 
  • Information use as gap-bridging: the viewpoint of Sense-Making methodology. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 57(8), 2006, pp. 1116-1125. Abstract. 
  • Time as a context of information seeking. Library & Information Science Research, 28(1), 2006, pp. 110-127. Abstract. 
  • Facing and bridging gaps in Web searching (co-author: Jarkko Kari). Information Processing & Management, 42(2), 2006, pp. 519-537. Abstract. 
  • Information literacy as sociotechnical practice (co-authors: Kimmo Tuominen & Sanna Talja). Library Quarterly, 75(3), 2005, pp. 329-345. Abstract.

 2000-2005 

  • Everyday life information seeking. In: Theories of information behavior. Ed. by Karen Fisher & Sanda Erdelez & Lynne McKechnie. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., 2005, pp. 143-148.  
  • The social constructionist viewpoint to information practices (co-authors: Kimmo Tuominen & Sanna Talja). In: Theories of information behavior. Ed. by Karen Fisher & Sanda Erdelez & Lynne McKechnie. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., 2005, pp. 328-333.  
  • "Isms" in information science: constructivism, collectivism and constructionism (co-authors: Sanna Talja & Kimmo Tuominen). Journal of Documentation, 61(1), 2005, pp. 79-101. Abstract. 
  • Placing the Internet in information source horizons. A study of information seeking by Internet users in the context of self-development (co-author: Jarkko Kari). Library & Information Science Research, 26(4), 2004, pp. 415-433. Abstract.   
  • Enthusiastic, realistic and critical. Discourses of Internet use in the context of everyday life information seeking. Information Research, 10(1), 2004. 
  • Field differences in the use and perceived usefulness of scholarly mailing lists (co-authors: Sanna Talja & Hanni Maula). Information Research, 10(1), 2004. 
  • Conceptions of the Internet in everyday life information seeking (co-author: Jarkko Kari). Journal of Information Science, 30(3), 2004, pp. 219-226. Abstract.
  • Transformation in government, politics and society: conceptual framework and introduction (co-author: Matti Mälkiä). In: eTransformation in governance. New directions in e-government and politics. Ed. by Matti Mälkiä & Ari-Veikko Anttiroiko & Reijo Savolainen. Hershey, Philadelphia: Idea Group Publishing 2004, pp. 1-21. Abstract of the book.
  • Toward a contextual model of information seeking on the Web (co-author: Jarkko Kari). The New Review of Information Behaviour Research, vol. 4, 2003, pp. 155-175. Abstract.
  • Multiperspective digital libraries: the implications of constructionism for the development of digital libraries (co-authors: Kimmo Tuominen and Sanna Talja). Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 54(6), 2003, pp. 561-569. Abstract. 
  • Competency in network use as a resource for citizenship: implications for the digital divide (co-author: Pirkko Jääskeläinen). Information Research, 8(3), 2003. 
  • Discourse, cognition and reality: toward a social constructionist metatheory for library and information science (co-authors: Kimmo Tuominen and Sanna Talja). In: Emerging frameworks and methods. CoLIS4. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Conceptions of Library and Information Science, Seattle, WA, USA, July 21-25, 2002. Ed. by Harry Bruce & al. Greenwood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited 2002, pp 271-283.  
  • Network competence and information seeking on the Internet: from definitions towards a social cognitive model. - Journal of Documentation 58(2), 2002, pp. 211-226.  
  • Living encyclopedia or idle talk? Seeking and providing consumer information in an Internet newsgroup. Library and Information Science Research, 23(1), 2001, pp. 67-90. Abstract. 
  • Incorporating small parts and gap-bridging: two metaphorical approaches to information use. The New Review of Information Behaviour Research, vol. 1, 2000, pp. 35-50.  
  • Embarking on the Internet: what motivates people? Aslib Proceedings, 52(5), 2000, pp. 185-193. Abstract.

 1990-1999 

  • The role of the Internet in information seeking. Putting the networked services in context. Information Processing & Management, 35(6), 1999, pp. 765-782. Abstract . 
  • Academic capital and information seeking career. Svensk Biblioteksforskning/ Swedish Library Research, 1999: 3-4, pp. 5-19.  
  • Seeking and using information from the Internet. The context of non-work use. In: Exploring the contexts of information behaviour. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Research on Information Needs, Seeking and Using in Different Contexts, Sheffield 1998. Ed. by Tom D. Wilson & David K. Allen. London: Taylor Graham 1999, pp. 356-370.  
  • The Internet through Finnish eyes. Citizens´ views on electronic networks. Scandinavian Public Library Quarterly, 32(3), 1999, pp. 32-34.  
  • The use studies on electronic networks. A review of empirical research approaches and challenges for their development. Journal of Documentation, 54(3), 1998, pp. 323-344. Abstract.
  • Social constructionist approach to the study of information use as discursive action (co-author: Kimmo Tuominen). In: Information seeking in context. Proceedings of an international conference on Research in Information Needs, Seeking and Use in Different Contexts, 14-16 August, 1996 Tampere, Finland. Ed. by Pertti Vakkari & Reijo Savolainen & Brenda Dervin. London (UK): Taylor Graham, 1997, pp. 81-96.  
  • Everyday life information seeking: approaching information seeking in the context of way of life. Library & Information Science Research, 17(3), 1995, pp. 259-294. Abstract. 
  • Everyday life information seeking. Findings and methodological questions of an empirical study. In: The 1st British-Nordic Conference on Library and Information Studies, 22-24 May 1995, Copenhagen. Ed. by Micheline Hancock-Beaulieu & Niels Ole Pors. Copenhagen: The Royal School of Librarianship 1995, pp. 313-331.  
  • The sense-making theory: reviewing the interests of a user-centered approach to information seeking and use. Information Processing & Management, 29(1), 1993, pp. 13-28. Abstract.
  • The socio-economic dimensions of the charging dilemma. In: Encyclopedia of library and information science. Vol. 52. Ed. by Allen Kent. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1993, pp. 322-350.
  • Fee or free? The socio-economic dimensions of the charging dilemma. Journal of Information Science, 16(3), 1990), pp. 143-153. Abstract.