Task	Thoughts	Feelings	Actions	Strategies
To prepare for the decision of selecting a topic	Contemplating assignment Comprehending Task Relating prior experience and learning  Considering possible topics	Apprehension at work ahead  Uncertainty	Talking with others Browsing the Library	Brainstorming Discussing Contemplating possible topics Tolerating uncertainty

Task	Thoughts	Feelings	Actions	Strategies
To decide on topic for research	Weighing topics against criteria of personal interest, project requirements, information available, and time allotted Predicting outcome of possible choices  Choosing topic with potential for success	Confusion Sometimes Anxiety Brief elation after selection Anticipation of prospective task	Consulting with informal mediators  Making preliminary search of  library Using reference collection	Discussing possible topics Predicting outcome of choices Using general sources for overview of possible topics

Task	Thoughts	Feelings	Actions	Strategies
To investigate information with the intent of finding a focus	Becoming informed about general topic  Seeking focus in  information on general topic  Identifying several possible focuses  Inability to express precise information needed	Confusion Doubt Sometimes threat Uncertainty	Locating relevant information Reading to become informed Taking notes on facts and ideas  Making bibliographic citations	Reading to learn about topic Tolerating inconsistency and incompatibility of information encountered Intentionally seeking possible focuses Listing descriptors

Task	Thoughts	Feelings	Actions	Strategies
To formulate a focus from the information encountered	Predicting outcome of possible foci Using criteria of personal interest, requirements of assignment, availability of materials, and time allotted  Identifying ideas in information from which to formulate focus Sometimes characterized by a sudden moment of insight	Optimism Confidence in ability to complete task	Reading notes for themes	Making a survey of notes  Listing possible foci  Choosing a particular focus while discarding  others, or  Combining several themes to form one focus

Task	Thoughts	Feelings	Actions	Strategies
To gather information that defines, extends and supports the focus	Seeking information to support focus  Defining and extending focus through information  Gathering pertinent information  Organizing information in notes	Realization of extensive work to be done  Confidence in ability to complete task  Increased interest	Using library collect pertinent information  Requesting specific sources from librarian  Taking detailed notes with bibliographic citations	Using descriptors to search out pertinent information  Making comprehensive search of various types of materials, i.e., reference, periodicals, nonfiction, and biography  Using indexes  Requesting assistance of librarian

Task	Thoughts	Feelings	Actions	Strategies
To conclude search for information	Identifying need for any additional information Considering time limit Diminishing relevance Increasing redundancy Exhausting resources	Sense of relief Sometimes satisfaction Sometimes disappointment	Rechecking sources for information initially overlooked Confirming information and bibliographic citations	Returning to library to make summary search Keeping books until completion of writing to recheck information

Kuhlthau, Carol C. Seeking Meaning:  A Process Approach to Library and Information Services. Norwood, N.J.: Ablex Publishing Corp., 1993, pp.45-51 [Used with permission of the Author]

Please send corrections to Corryn Crosby-Muilenburg: cc2@axe.humboldt.edu
Last updated: 01/29/1999