Use Users Community Needs Information Needs and Behaviors

Use & Users, Community Needs, Information Needs and Behaviors Sajjad ur Rehman

Information Edge • Exploitation of information in enhancing effectiveness and productivity of individuals in their organizational, professional and personal pursuits. • Information edge depends on clear articulation of users, their needs and behaviors, and desirable channels for access and retrieval of information.

Use • Visits to the library or information center and use of its resources and services • Delivery of specific information services to the user • Use of information systems and resources beyond the physical parameters of the information center • Obtrusive/unobtrusive use

User • Confusion about actual, prospective and potential users; internal vis-à-vis external users; users within physical contact parameters versus virtual users • Focus on an individual user in information service • Importance of user characteristics and definition of individual profiles of users

Information Need • Aroused state of anxiety of a user for acquisition of information in order to: – solve a problem – conduct research – design a product – make a decision – satisfy individual urges of learning, enlightenment, professional development and entertainment

Information Demand • A demand is an expressed need. • Expression of a need to someone responsible for delivery of information in a defined manner • Gaps between needs and demands are caused by: communication deficiencies, lack of compatibilities, absence of expertise, physical and infrastructural limitations, etc.

Need Versus Demand • Demands recognized much more easily than need • An expressed need (demand) is a function of recognized state of need and aroused state of need. • A need sufficiently aroused have the potential of proper expression

Factors Involved • Instinctive: at the subconscious; could be vague • Conscious: Need exists at conscious level; may not be defined though • Formalized: Expressed in your language • Compromised: transformed as a result of negotiation and realization of the system capabilities

Recognized State of Need • Determined by: – Context – Purpose – Type of question – Amount of information

Need Arousal • • • Personal factors Potential value of information Experiences with information systems Access to the needed information Amount of effort Cost

Inhibitors for Need Expression • • • Communication inadequacies Semantics: terminology Inadequate understanding of the system Personal variables Organizational variables

Information Request Prompters • • • Information needs Past images Cognitive capabilities Available assistance Access parameters: time, effort, targets, resources

Information Seeking Behavior • Patterns of seeking information; conditioned, patterned, moderated, and matured by a number of personal, professional and institutional factors. • Information organizations are generally concerned and curious about the ways in which users wish to demand, access, retrieve and apply information.

Why to Study Behaviors? • Uncovering facts of everyday life of users • Understanding needs that push toward information seeking behaviors • Understanding needs; what meaning information has in lives of users • Better understanding of users for designing cost-effective resources and systems

Information Use Dynamics • • • Need Demand Supply of information Application Feedback, resulting in new sets of needs

Information Transaction Process • • Initiation of request Query formulation Query transmission Negotiation with intermediary – Scope – Types of Sources – Terminology * Formulation of strategy * Conduct of search * Feedback & adjustments

Needs Assessment for Different Communities (1) • Academic context: academic offerings, specialties, research focus, interests of specialists. Role of library committees. • Corporate context: Audit of products, R&D profiles, marketing and sale emphases, present and future projects, future plans; team assignments; individual pursuits and interests; visibility of information managers; needs for regular liaison

Needs Assessment for Different Communities (2) • Public Libraries: Geographic dispersion, socio-economic factors, age groups, occupational diversities; strategies for community involvement in resource development

Modes of Interaction • Physical visit resulting in negotiation or reference interview • Written expression: use of forms, terminology indicated, sources hinted, framework of time and amount specified • By phone • Electronic means: Web or portals, e-mail, etc.

Filters for User-Intermediary Interaction • User’s ability to express need • Intermediary’s understanding of the motives behind the need • Personal characteristics of the user • Intermediary’s knowledge of the content and structure of databases • Understanding of the type and amount of information

Problem Areas in Negotiation • User problems – too general or too specific request – poor understanding of terminology and system – Poor information about search strategy • System Problems – Poor resources, organization/indexing, coverage, technological capabilities

Needs Assessment Techniques • • Observation: obtrusive or non-obtrusive questionnaires interviews group interviews Use statistics Review of documentation Combination of methods

Use Studies • Use of resources, circulation statistics, use of databases and retrieval systems • Use of different services • Use of specialized resources • Conducted through observation, questionnaires, interviews, case studies

User Surveys • Conduct of user surveys in order to determine: – characteristics – information seeking habits and behaviors – Adequacy and relevance of resources and services – Cost-effectiveness of investments – Gaps in resources

Applications in Resource Development • Developing resources in relation to needs • Determining physical points for placement of resources and services • Responding to changes in demographic shifts, academic priorities, and new initiatives of R&D • Selection of resources ib an ongoing basis