LS 500 Reflection on the Principle of Least Effort

Thomas Mann’s Principle of Least Effort states:

“That most researchers (even “serious” scholars) will tend to choose easily available information sources, even when they are objectively of low quality, and further, will tend to be satisfied with whatever can be found easily in preference to pursuing higher quality sources who use would require a greater expenditure of effort.”

Mann’s point of view is that Librarians acknowledge the Principle of Least Effort but do nothing to counter it. Mann goes on to state what the Library Profession needs is a clear understanding of the information we have. He feels that the current libraries are designed using assumptions of how users will behave. Mann compares doing library research to playing a pinball game and states that the design of the system is much more important than the experience level of the user in getting positive results. Mann goes on to cite several sources that all verify no matter what the background of the user (researcher, educator, engineer, scientist or doctor). They all follow the path of least resistance to get the information they desire. In fact one citation from the National Enquiry Scholarly Communication’s 1979 study stated, “Most scholars try to avoid using libraries in the first place, preferring by a large majority to use their personal collections instead.” That to me is a scary thought – that scholars avoid the library. In the end Mann comes to two conclusions. The first is that when users have a choice between two systems one easy and one more difficult – most users will choose the easy path even though the more difficult system would have better content. The second conclusion is that seasoned scholars and researchers follow the slope of the system that makes some channels easy and others more difficult to use. Mann states, “It is irresponsible to view the creation of information systems as merely a technological problem. Ironically, disregarding the Principle of Least Effort is itself a result of the same principle at work.”

The Role of Bibliographic Objectives

Elaine Svenonius states, “A statement of objectives…should state just what it is that the users need to find.” According to the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) a full-featured bibliographic system consists of the following five objectives: Finding, Collocations, Choice, Acquisition and Navigation. Present day library catalogs use the traditional objectives in principle, but in reality as time has passed they have become warped and have lost a great deal of organization. Plans to fix the systems and bring them back to their traditional objectives are dismissed as unaffordable. Where the Principle of Least Effort and the Role of Bibliographic Objectives mesh is over the debate as to whether full-feature bibliographic systems are necessary. The arguments against implementing the full-feature system include the cost argument and the user argument where studies have been done that show the users don’t need and are incapable of using a highly organized system. Arguments for the full-feature system all revolve around the user and their rights. First that users are being short changed and that some searches require more bibliographic power than others. Second users have a right to use the five objectives to search a system. Lastly, that if knowledge is to advance a full-feature bibliographic system is required. The principle of least effort states that users will always follow the easiest route and the debate over the full-feature bibliographic system centers on the following line of thought – Why should we give them an advanced system when people will opt not to use it.

The Invisible Substrate of Information Science

Above the water line Marcia Bates states, “Information Science is the study of the gathering, organization, storing, retrieving and dissemination of information.” Below the water line is characterized as, “In applied information science, we find ourselves primarily concerned with the form and organization of information, its underlying structure, and only secondarily with its content.” Information Science must use a mix of methodologies to solve the problems that arise. Both social and engineering sciences are needed if the profession is to be successful. Bates also talks about her litmus test for newcomers to the profession and that information scientists must learn to view the world at two levels, one theoretical and the other practical. It is interesting to note that organization is both above and below the water line according to Bates. In the library there is organization that the user is privy to and there is organization that the average user has no knowledge of. It is then the job of information scientists to make sure that the organization both behind the scenes and in front of the scenes work seamlessly together to get the user the information they require in the quickest manner.

Critical Reflection

I feel that the Principle of Least Effort is most likely true and that the majority of the users follow the path of least resistance. I think it then becomes the job of the librarian to ensure that any new systems that are placed in libraries are as user friendly as possible. Making the systems easier and the information as accessible as possible for the patron will entice them to use the library all the more often. I have always subscribed to the belief that you get what you pay for. So if a system is a little more costly but easier to use and more efficient for the user it is then our duty to lobby for that system. I think it is very unwise to assume how users will behave as they all have different research priorities. The average user, seeking information for a personal interest versus the scholar doing research for a book or paper are in need of vastly different levels of searching capabilities. I find it very humorous that while the majority of librarians acknowledge the Principle of Least Effort, they fall into the same trap by not altering the systems. The user and the librarian become hamsters stuck on the same wheel not realizing that if they would simply stop there is another route available to them, possibly a better one with a higher quality of information.