The principle of least effort is a broad theory that covers diverse fields from evolutionary biology to webpage design. It postulates that animals, people, and even well-designed machines will naturally choose the path of least resistance or "effort." It is closely related to many other similar principles (see principle of least action or other articles listed below).
This is perhaps best known, or at least documented, among researchers in the field of library and information science. Their principle states that an information-seeking client will tend to use the most convenient search method in the least exacting mode available. Information-seeking behavior stops as soon as minimally acceptable results are found. This theory holds true regardless of the user's proficiency as a searcher, or their level of subject expertise. Also, this theory takes into account the user's previous information-seeking experience. The user will use the tools that are most familiar and easy to use that find results. The principle of least effort is known as a "deterministic description of human behavior".[1]
The principle of least effort applies not only in the library context, but also to any information-seeking activity. For example, one might consult a generalist co-worker down the hall rather than a specialist in another building, so long as the generalist's answers were within the threshold of acceptability.
The principle of least effort is analogous to the path of least resistance.
^Bierbaum, Esther: "A Paradigm for the ‘90s", American Libraries, 21(1): 18.
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The principleofleasteffort is a broad theory that covers diverse fields from evolutionary biology to webpage design. It postulates that animals, people...
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0023. Zipf, George, Kingsley (1949). Human Behaviour and the PrincipleofLeastEffort. Reading MA: Addison-Wesley. p. 5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple...
palatalized consonant. This is due to the principleofleasteffort and is an example of the general phenomenon of coarticulation. (On the other hand, Spanish...
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Intercity Movement of Persons. American Sociological Review, vol. 11, Oct Zipf, G. K., 1949. Human Behaviour and the PrincipleofLeastEffort. Massachusetts...
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