The user’s access to usenet
The user’s special role in the group of organization, such as the information gate-keeper
The user” suggestions regarding the proposed information retrieval system’s location, accessibility, content, input and output features, and so on.
The collection of information on these pints will help the information manager propose changes to an existing information retrieval system or develop a new one.
User studies
Extensive studies on users and their information needs have been conducted cover the last three decades. Wilson points out that the theoretical foundation of earler user studies was very weak, whereas. The experimental methods used in the eighties were more refined and the data analysis procedures more sophisticated
Design
A design of research plan
Pao suggests the following steps for making a study of users
Identify a problem area or a need to study
Conduct an initial literature review
Define the research problem
Estimate the potential for successful execution of the study
Conduct a second literature review
Select an appropriate research approach
Formulate a hypothesis
Formulate data collection methods
Formulate and develop data collection instruments
Design a data analysis plan
Design a data collection plan
Identify the population and sample
Conduct pilot studies of methods,instruments and analysis.
B implementation of research plan
Implement data collection
Implement data analysis
Prepare research report