The Influence of User-Context on Mobile Information Needs

This paper aims to study the influence of user-context on mobile information needs with the following two objectives. (1) To identify the role of user-context as a trigger for mobile information needs and (2) To examine how user-context can affect the fulfillment of information needs via mobile devices either as impediments, facilitators or both. Data collection methods involved a one week diary study followed by personal interviews among twenty participants. Two main findings were revealed. (1) Four contextual factors triggered information needs. (2) Five contextual factors impeded while four contextual factors facilitated information need fulfillment. In addition, there were four contextual factors which were user-dependent during information need fulfillment.