Revisiting user studies and information needs

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to respond to Bawden's review of Wilson's 1981 paper, “On user studies and information needs”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reflects on the context of the original paper, and on subsequent developments.

Findings

The paper comments on a variety of issues relating to information science as a discipline, and its research programme and methods, with specific emphasis on the understanding of human information behaviour.

Originality/value

The paper provides a unique perspective on the development of this aspect of the discipline.

Citation

Wilson, T.D. (2006), "Revisiting user studies and information needs", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 62 No. 6, pp. 680-684. https://doi.org/10.1108/00220410610714912