Exploring variation in the ways of experiencing health information literacy: A phenomenographic study

•Health information literacy in everyday life is a nascent area of research enquiry.•People's experience of using information to learn about health was investigated using phenomenography.•Analysis shows 7 qualitatively different ways in which people experience health information.•The findings contribute to knowledge about information literacy in everyday life.

From a relational perspective of information literacy, health information literacy is interpreted as the different ways in which people experience using information to learn about health. Phenomenography was used as a research approach to explore variation in people's experience of using information to learn about health from data collected through semi-structured interviews. The findings identify seven categories that describe the qualitatively different ways in which people experience health information literacy: building a new knowledge base; weighing up information; discerning valid information; paying attention to bodily information; staying informed about health; Participating in learning communities, and envisaging health. These findings can be used to enhance awareness about the different ways of experiencing health information literacy, and to contribute to a nascent trajectory of research that has explored information literacy within the context of everyday life.