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| Activity Theory and Its Applications inLibrary and Information Science |
| Zhou Wenbo |
| The Faculty of Information Resource Management, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071 |
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Abstract This study aims to introduce an interdisciplinary theory, namely, the activity theory, which has a significant influence on social sciences all over the world since the 1970s, and its applications in the library and information science (LIS) field. Additionally, it demonstrates the effectiveness of the activity theory, as an integrative theory, in analyzing and solving relevant problems of LIS. First, this research elaborates the origin, development, and principles of the activity theory. Then, through the analysis of studies that have applied the activity theory in LIS from dimensions in terms of research fields, research questions, application principles, investigation focus, application mode, and application value, the application status and characteristics of the activity theory in the LIS field are presented. The conclusions demonstrate that, to date, the activity theory has been mainly applied in information literacy, information system design, and human-computer interaction and information behavior. Some principles of the activity theory, such as artifact-mediated, internalization/externalization, activity structure, contradictions, and context focused, have been used in the above-mentioned fields. There are three forms of applications, including identifying contexts based on the conceptual analytical framework, forming an analytical path by applying theoretical elements, and establishing new activity theoretical models based on the original model. Additionally, this research reveals four application values of the activity theory for LIS, namely, providing a common framework, an integrative perspective, and a developmental perspective, and paying attention to the transformation from theory to practice. Thus, it can be confirmed that the activity theory, as an integrative theory, has significant rationality and practicability in relevant problems of LIS.
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Received: 25 March 2019
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