1st Edition

Assessing Information Needs Tools, Techniques and Concepts for the Internet Age

By David Nicholas Copyright 2000

    Provides a systematic method of identifying, evaluating and comparing information needs, as well as a framework to enable information services to gather information from users to aid information system design, and monitor the effectiveness of an information service. Examines the role of the Internet in meeting information needs.The section on collecting data now includes web log analysis and focus group interviews. Introduces the concept of the I-player, the digital information user.

    Acknowledgements, 1. Introduction 2. Why undertake information needs assessments? 3. What are information needs? 4. A framework for evaluating information needs 5. Factors involved in the meeting of information need 6. Collecting the data 7. Conclusion 8. References and selected bibliography

    Biography

    David Nicholas is Head of the Department of Information Science, City University. He is also Director of the Internet Studies Research Group. Current interests lie in the impact of the Internet on key strategic groups and the potential of web log analysis. Other interests include information and the media; information needs analysis and bibliometrics.