Sources of anxiety during information seeking process

Background and Aim: the current study aims to determine factors which may cause negative feeling such as fear, uncertainty and anxiety during information seeking process. Method: In this review paper, different library resources and databases were searched in the areas of library anxiety, Internet anxiety, computer anxiety, information seeking, information searching and information retrieval to elicit factors which may cause information seeking anxiety. Results: Potential causes of information seeking anxiety were grouped and reviewed in 4 different categories, namely factors associated with information resources, factors associated with computers, the Internet and databases, factors associated with libraries and factors associated with information seeking process. Conclusion: Negative feelings during information seeking process may negatively affect the results of this process. By being aware of the causes of information seeking anxiety, librarians and information systems’ administrators will be in a better position to provide instructions and services which is effective to reduce levels of anxiety during information seeking process.