Information seeking behavior of police officers in Hong Kong: an exploratory study

Abstract

The information seeking behavior of a random sample of 40 Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) officers was investigated from the perspectives of: information seeking behavior; type of searching undertaken; level of sophistication of searching; ability to retrieve required information, and use of the HKPF Library (HKPFL). Frameworks such as: the information seeking process (Chowdhury 2004); the information management cycle (Choo, 1998); and the Information seeking of professionals model (Leckie, Pettigrew & Sylvain 1996), were applied. Data gathering methods included: survey; interview; observation; and case study. Results indicate that the respondents are not, overall, effective information seekers. The respondents generally apply simple retrieval techniques despite perceiving them to be less effective than more advanced techniques. The respondents were often unable to effectively frame simple enquiries. A novice member was less effective and slower at retrieving information than an experienced member, suggesting that transfer of organizational members’ knowledge of information seeking to newer members could be valuable. The sampled HKPF members prefer using print materials to electronic materials or web pages, although these formats are also popular. 27 (67.5%) respondents visit the HKPFL two or less times per week, while 36 (90%) respondents visit the HKPFL website two or less times per week. Most respondents use the HKPFL for leisure rather than work related purposes, although this behavior is both position and department sensitive. Most respondents prefer to browse the collections on shelves and seek help from librarians instead of searching the library catalogue. Recommendations for improving HKPF members’ information skills include: information literacy instruction for new recruits; promoting the HKPFL as an information hub; providing guides for use; and further developing the HKPFL to match members’ information needs by improving collections.