A Preliminary Analysis on Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of Lawyers Using Exploratory Factor Analysis

Abstract

This preliminary study was carried out to empirically examine the possible factors of legal information needs and information seeking behaviour among lawyers. The main aim is to investigate the measures impacting their effectiveness of information seeking behaviour by employing Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). This user study opted a survey of 182 lawyers who work in Klang Valley area in Malaysia. Findings from EFA confirmed that five-factor solution can be used for further research as a measure of effectiveness of information seeking behavior of lawyers. The statistical adequacy of the EFA is supported by a good KMO (0.773 (2 =1959.88, p < 0.001).), Bartlett and acceptable internal consistency reliability of Cronbach alpha coefficients (all > 0.600). In addition, the total explained variance of the five components was 61.26% and with acceptable internal consistency reliability of Cronbach alpha coefficients (all > 0.600). The five components are significantly positive correlated with the effectiveness of information seeking behaviour. Thus, preliminary outcomes of this research suggested that effectiveness of information seeking behaviour of lawyers is significantly connected to the type of information needed, reasons for information seeking, sources in obtaining information, seeking strategies, and challenges in information seeking.