Reviews the sense-making theory of Brenda Dervin, which is based on constructivist theories of information seeking and information use. Topics discussed include epistemic interests of the theory; sense-making theory in the social science context; and practical interests of the theory, including interviewing techniques used in the…

Discusses two models of selecting information sources--Cost/Benefit (information seekers select sources on basis of expected benefits and costs), and Least-Effort (seekers select sources on basis of minimizing effort or cost). Results of a study proposing that users place different weights on costs and benefits are presented. (EJS)

Reports on a study of how 13 chief executives in the Canadian publishing and telecommunications industries scan their environments for information and use it in decision making. Critical incidents of information use were analyzed according to their environmental sectors, information sources, and their use in decision making. (Contains 27…