Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is a preliminary study to develop a comprehensive information avoidance scale that includes various search contexts. Research design, data and methodology: This study is a part of exploratory sequential design of mixed method for the development of information avoidance scale. Based on the themes derived from the analysis of the in-depth interview data collected in the qualitative research of the first stage of the study, 45 preliminary items on information search and avoidance were constructed. The factors related to information searching included information recognition, information seeking purpose, and information search expectations. Individual, information, time, and system factors were related to information avoidance. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed for the correlation between factor items, and Cronbach's alpha analysis was performed for the reliability analysis of the items. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to examine the construct validity of 35 items of information avoidance. Results: Among the information avoidance items, one of the less relevant among information purpose items, two information factor items, and one time factor item were excluded. Conclusions: A secondary survey should be conducted to confirm the validity and reliability of the scale composed of adjusted items (35) based on the results of exploratory factor analysis. The strength of this preliminary scale is that it was developed based on vivid qualitative data of ordinary people who had experiences of search and avoidance in various search contexts.