Diffusion of theories and theoretical models in the Ibero-American research on information behavior

Ibero-American research on information behavior (IB) lacks the visibility typical of other parts of the world, and little is known about it in countries outside the area. The objective of this paper has therefore been to analyze the way in which Ibero-American research incorporates various theoretical references to empirical research on IB. The results point to the existence of different focuses of research in the past 10 years, in the sense of a reduced empirical approach and a moderate to minimal use of theories in the design of such research. Furthermore, the most cited theories and models of IB at an international level are those most widely applied in this geographical area, and the use of a wide variety of theoretical frameworks has been demonstrated, which gives the research under review a cognitive, but also sociocultural, perspective. Future research should further elaborate on this issue, including other types of documents, such as conference papers, books, and theses, while taking into account the publication landscape of the geographical area in question.

Automated summary

Research on information behavior in the Ibero-American region lacks visibility and is not well-known outside the area. The study reveals a limited use of empirical methods and a moderate to minimal use of theoretical frameworks in the research conducted in the past decade. However, the most cited theories and models internationally are also widely applied in this geographical area, demonstrating a diverse range of theoretical perspectives. Future research should delve deeper into this issue, considering other types of documents and the publication landscape of the region.