Human information behavior during the Covid-19 health crisis. A literature review

• Published in: Library & information science research Vol. 43; no. 4; p. 101122
• Main Author: Montesi, Michela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd; The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc
• Subjects: COVID-19; Covid-19 pandemic; Emotions; Experiential knowledge; Health literacy; Human information behavior; Information and communication technologies; Information seeking behavior; Information sources; Literature reviews; Public health; Social networks; State of the Art Review; Information and communication technologies; Covid-19 pandemic; Human information behavior; Experiential knowledge; Emotions
• ISSN: 0740-8188; 1873-1848; 0740-8188
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lisr.2021.101122

The research carried out on human information behavior (HIB) during the Covid-19 health crisis was reviewed, with the premise that HIB and information practices allow humans to adapt to the changing circumstances of existence. A literature search was run on the LISTA and Google Scholar databases from middle March 2020 up to the end of March 2021. After filtering retrieved results, 52 studies were selected. Results are summarized into seven main themes, including the use of traditional and social media, infoveillance of search engines and social media activity, misinformation, disinformation and infodemics, and uncertainty and emotions. Results point to the need to carry out additional research in specific contexts and addressing vulnerable and marginalized groups. Further areas of inquiry include the interplay of emotions, knowledge and behaviors during the information seeking process, a better understanding of local knowledge and experiential knowledge, and the need to comprehend the limitations of ICT. •Understanding information behavior during crisis allows LIS to address and contribute to today's society's problems.•Research on Human Information Behavior (HIB) during the Covid-19 crisis was searched in LISTA and GS and reviewed.•Most research on HIB during the pandemic is quantitative and draws on web surveys and massive datasets.•Further research is needed on marginalized communities and the limitations of ICT.•Experiential and local knowledge turned out to be highly relevant during the crisis, deserving further attention.