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
Chapter
1 Introducing Serendipity
Serendipity and Scientific Discovery
Serendipity, Creativity, and Innovation
Serendipity and Information Discovery
2 Making Room for Serendipity
Serendipity, Creativity, and Innovation
Factors That Can Enable Serendipity
Topical Knowledge and Sagacity
Factors That Can Inhibit Serendipity
Information Organization and Navigation
Thinking About Serendipity Pedagogically
Serendipity in Practice: Faculty and Librarians Teaching “Ways-of-Doing”
Serendipity in Academic Situations That Call for Empirical Inquiry
Serendipity in Academic Situations That Call for Problem-Solving
Serendipity in Academic Situations That Call for Research From Sources
Additional Considerations for Teaching Serendipity
4 Serendipity in Current Digital Information Environments
Serendipity in Search Environments
Serendipity in Browse Environments
Serendipity in Social Networking Environments
Serendipity in Library Discovery Tools: Next-Generation Catalogs and Web-Scale Discovery Tools
Library Discovery Tools as Search Environments: Search Diversification, Search Suggestion, and Document Recommendation
Library Discovery Tools as Browse Environments
Library Discovery Tools as Social Networking Environments
Current Information Environments and the Ways Forward
5 Serendipity in Future Digital Information Environments
5.1 Serendipity in a Connected World
A Few Questions and an Assumption
Serendipity, Connectivity, and the Predigital Age
The End of the Virtual as a Realm Apart
5.2 The Role We Play in Driving Information Discovery: Serendipity and Spreadability
5.3 Digital Information Environments That Facilitate Serendipity
Serendipity in Digital Information Environments
5.4 Supporting Serendipity in Digital Information Environments
Designing to Support Serendipity
Supporting the Serendipity Process Through Design
Supporting Making Connections
Information Visualization
Supporting Projecting and Exploiting the Value of Connections
Potential for Future Support