[Purpose/significance] The purpose of this study is to elucidate the applications and contributions of behav⁃ ioural economics theories in information behaviour research, thereby fostering the continued development of these theo⁃ ries within the realm of information behaviour research. [Method/process] Drawing upon the extensive research litera⁃ ture on information behaviour, encompassing both domestic and foreign journals and academic conferences, this study offers a comprehensive generalization and summary of the utilization of behavioural economics theories in the realm of research. Furthermore, it highlights the theoretical contributions of these applications and provides a forward-looking perspective on future research avenues. [Result/conclusion] First, behavioural economics theories have been widely applied to information retrieval, information evaluation and other research themes. Second, behavioural economics theo⁃ ries provide a theoretical foundation for revealing the cognitive styles and thinking logic behind users’information be⁃ haviours from four aspects: understanding bounded rationality and‘irrational’in users’information behaviour, under⁃ standing the rules of gain and loss in users’decisions, revealing the heuristics in cognitive and behavioural strategies, and interpreting the cognitive biases in information behaviours. Finally, the corresponding outlooks are proposed from three aspects: interdisciplinary theory development in information behaviour, the zeitgeist information behaviour re⁃ search, and scientific decision-making of users.