This paper discusses underlying assumptions of user studies and approaches to information systems design, and reviews key issues in the design of information systems in three major areas: (1) factors affecting information seeking and use; (2) formal and informal channels of information transfer; and (3) discipline oriented transfer patterns. Factors discussed include the membership of scientists in social groups served by different information systems, user preference in channel selection, and the effect of the anticipated use of information on information seeking behavior. Discussion of the formal and informal channels of information transfer reviews the role of scientific communication in research and creating knowledge, the patterns of information transfer and use patterns of information as affected by organizational structure, the journal as a standard channel for information transfer, meetings and conferences as informal communication channels, and the roles of the "invisible college" and informal groups in communication. Discipline oriented transfer patterns are discussed in terms of the differences in development between scientific and technical fields and between physical and social sciences. A summary of user studies as of 1979 concludes the paper, and a list of 20 references and a bibliography are provided. (RBF)