The Benefits of Understanding Information Behaviour and Cognition for Data Mining: A Case Study in France

The pilot project aims to study the relations between information behaviours (searching and retrieving information and also communications) and cognitive process in Rennes, France. Naturalistic observation, daily interaction with the public, and unstructured/semi-structured interviews will enrich knowledge in information behaviour and analyze trend. The expected outcomes include a holistic recognition of the relations among IT products, information behaviour, and cognitive process and how the social and cultural realities may explain some trends and characteristics. Findings will contribute to data mining in terms of better understanding data by understanding human behaviours and better designing in order to organize data. Future research includes an international comparison of information behaviour between France and Canada. Moreover, knowledge and techniques learned from this project can be applied to many areas, such as informing the Canadian governments to understand behaviour in order to more effectively use and manage IT products in the long run.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dominika Wranik

Student:

Partner:

Inria Rennes - Bretagne Atlantique Research Centre

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

University:

Dalhousie University

Program:

Globalink Research Award