Abstract
Foster and Ford interview information seekers and treat serendipity as a genuine way of finding: unexpected at the time, and explainable afterwards from what the person already knew.
Foster, A., & Ford, N. (2003). Journal of Documentation, 59(3), 321–340. DOI
Key findings
- Unexpected then clear — Seekers describe finds they did not schedule, which become intelligible once prior knowledge is named.
- Preparation included — The accident is not the whole event. What the person already held is part of why the find lands.
Limits
Interview study of information seekers (Journal of Documentation, 2003, 59(3), 321–340). Crossref DOI 10.1108/00220410310472518. It does not test life-design outcomes or claim that unstructured time beats a prepared question.
Application
When you design a shelf for discovery, keep one path a prepared person can enter without heroism (Serendipity).