Accidental Information Discovery

Accidental Information Discovery

by Tammera M. Race, Stephann Makri
Released June 2016
Publisher(s): Chandos Publishing
ISBN: 9781780634319

Read it now on the O’Reilly learning platform with a 10-day free trial.

O’Reilly members get unlimited access to books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Start your free trial

Book description

Accidental Information Discovery: Cultivating Serendipity in the Digital Age provides readers with an interesting discussion on the ways serendipity—defined as the accidental discovery of valued information—plays an important role in creative problem-solving.

This insightful resource brings together discussions on serendipity and information discovery, research in computer and information science, and interesting thoughts on the creative process. Five thorough chapters explore the significance of serendipity in creativity and innovation, the characteristics of serendipity-friendly tools and minds, and how future discovery environments may encourage serendipity.

  • Examines serendipity in a multidisciplinary context
  • Bridges theory and practice
  • Explores digital information landscapes of the future with essays from current researchers
  • Brings the concept of accidental discovery and its value front and center

Table of contents

  1. Cover image
  2. Title page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. List of Contributors
  7. Biography
  8. Preface
  9. Acknowledgments
  10. Chapter 1. Introducing Serendipity
    1. Abstract
    2. History of “Serendipity”
    3. Serendipity and Scientific Discovery
    4. Serendipity, Creativity, and Innovation
    5. Serendipity and Information Discovery
    6. References
  11. Chapter 2. Making Room for Serendipity
    1. Abstract
    2. Introduction
    3. Serendipity, Creativity, and Innovation
    4. Factors That Can Enable Serendipity
    5. Internal Factors
    6. External Factors
    7. Factors That Can Inhibit Serendipity
    8. Internal Barriers
    9. External Barriers
    10. Conclusion
    11. References
  12. Chapter 3. Teaching Serendipity
    1. Abstract
    2. Thinking About Serendipity Pedagogically
    3. Serendipity in Practice: Faculty and Librarians Teaching “Ways-of-Doing”
    4. Serendipity in Academic Situations That Call for Empirical Inquiry
    5. Serendipity in Academic Situations That Call for Problem-Solving
    6. Serendipity in Academic Situations That Call for Research From Sources
    7. Additional Considerations for Teaching Serendipity
    8. References
  13. Chapter 4. Serendipity in Current Digital Information Environments
    1. Abstract
    2. Introduction
    3. Serendipity in Search Environments
    4. Serendipity in Browse Environments
    5. Serendipity in Social Networking Environments
    6. Serendipity in Library Discovery Tools: Next-Generation Catalogs and Web-Scale Discovery Tools
    7. Library Discovery Tools as Search Environments: Search Diversification, Search Suggestion, and Document Recommendation
    8. Finding Serendipity
    9. References
  14. Chapter 5. Serendipity in Future Digital Information Environments
    1. Abstract
    2. Introduction
    3. Chapter 5.1. Serendipity in a Connected World
    4. Chapter 5.2. The Role We Play in Driving Information Discovery: Serendipity and Spreadability
    5. Chapter 5.3. Digital Information Environments That Facilitate Serendipity
    6. Chapter 5.4. Supporting Serendipity in Digital Information Environments
  15. Index

Product information

  • Title: Accidental Information Discovery
  • Author(s): Tammera M. Race, Stephann Makri
  • Release date: June 2016
  • Publisher(s): Chandos Publishing
  • ISBN: 9781780634319