{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,18]],"date-time":"2026-04-18T06:18:10Z","timestamp":1776493090494,"version":"3.51.2"},"reference-count":56,"publisher":"Emerald","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2005,4,1]],"date-time":"2005-04-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1112313600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.emerald.com\/insight\/site-policies"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2005,4,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p>To explore information behavior from a psychological perspective by relating information seeking to personality traits and study approaches.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Design\/methodology\/approach<\/jats:title><jats:p>The research design was quantitative and consisted of statistical analysis of three questionnaires, i.e. the NEO Five\u2010Factor Inventory measuring personality, the ASSIST test measuring approaches to studying, and a questionnaire regarding information behavior. A total of 305 university students who were in the process of writing a Master's thesis responded to the questionnaires.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>Three information\u2010seeking patterns \u2013 fast surfing, broad scanning and deep diving \u2013 emerged from the statistical analyses. Fast surfing could be related to a surface study approach and emotionality, as well as to low openness to experience and low conscientiousness. Broad scanning was linked to extraversion, openness, and competitiveness, whereas deep diving was a search pattern typical of analytical students with a deep and strategic study approach.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Research limitations\/implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The results are based on descriptions of behaviour, not actual observations. Although the statistical results were significant, generalisable conclusions would have required more convincing figures. Further research is recommended in order to explore the three search styles in other populations and contexts.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>Information\u2010seeking behaviour has not previously been studied in relation to the five\u2010factor model, which is regarded as the most modern personality theory to date. Understanding of the psychological reasons behind different information\u2010seeking styles is important for a holistic view of information behavior. These insights are valuable for researchers interested in user behavior as well as for practitioners like teachers and information professionals.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/00220410510585205","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2005,3,21]],"date-time":"2005-03-21T18:44:32Z","timestamp":1111430672000},"page":"228-247","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":131,"title":["Fast surfing, broad scanning and deep diving"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"61","author":[{"given":"Jannica","family":"Heinstr\u00f6m","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022020119471436400_b1","unstructured":"Adema, J. (2000), \u201cExploring the relationship between learning styles and personality\u201d, paper presented at the 10th European Conference on Personality, July 20, Krackow."},{"key":"key2022020119471436400_b2","unstructured":"Aguilar, F.J. 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