The missing link: information behavior research and its estranged relationship with embodiment

In this brief contribution we argue that an apparent dichotomy between information behavior seen as the behavior of individuals and their respective information styles and information behavior considered a social practice may be resolved by considering the under-researched corporeality of the human body aka embodiment which is a fundamental aspect of any kind of behavior, including information behavior. Practice is inherently embodied too which means embodiment can be utilized as a vantage point to seek conceptual grounding for the rather diverse range of theories and models in information behavior research. The challenge then is to articulate in what way and on what level a particular approach contributes to advancing information behavior research. Conceptual clarity would also help information behavior models and theories developed in library and information science become more accessible and hopefully also more relevant to researchers in cognate disciplines.