Abstract

A large part of the research on personal information management is scattered through many journals due to the intrinsic characteristics of this topic. This work tries to compile a more complete, global and integrated study of that type of management strategies. Our study offers an analytical model of the informational behaviour of a group of individuals (students of an e-learning university, UOC) who have a positive perception of the information and communication technologies and use them intensively in their academic, professional and everyday contexts. From this qualitative research (24 interviews and content analysis), four user profiles (reactive, passive, comprehensive and proactive) have been identified in relation to personal information management and its relevant variables: access, management and use of information, cognitive style, attitude, information-related competencies, ICT perception, and academic, professional and everyday contexts. These profiles show the differences in information behaviour for each context (daily life, professional and academic). Identification of the user profiles was the essential first step in a user centered service design that addresses the specific intervention/contribution appropriate to each user type, taking into account tool and process requirements needed for them to develop efficient information behaviours