THE SENSE-MAKING THEORY - REVIEWING THE INTERESTS OF A USER-CENTERED APPROACH TO INFORMATION SEEKING AND USE

The sense-making theory of Brenda Dervin, based on constructivist assumptions on human information seeking and use, is reviewed. The study focuses on the epistemic and practical interests of the theory, discussing them in relation to the interests of the traditional intermediary-centered approach. The interests of the theory are reviewed by analyzing its conceptions of information, information seeking and use, structure, and action. In addition, the assumptions of the theory are assessed in the context of the recent developments of social science and methodology. Finally, the paradigmatic demands of the theory for the study of information seeking and use are considered. Sense-making theory, having its strongest roots in communication research, is a programmatic research effort suggesting user-centered ideas for the conceptualization of information seeking and use. The theoretical assumptions of the theory based on the metaphors of situation-gap-uses/helps has been validated in numerous empirical studies. As to LIS research at large, the major contribution of the present theory seems to be the inspiring critique addressed to the limitations of the traditional intermediary-centered approach.