Offers a framework for explicitly defining the types of information that clinicians use and the various states of information need on which different studies have focused. Highlights include methodological issues in information needs research, clinical questions, and evaluating information systems and the impact on information needs. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the contingency approach to organizational design, information processing as a critical contingent of design, and use of organismic and mechanistic structures within an independent merchant bank. Proposes that a more appropriate model is needed which takes into account the changing nature of information processing and is flexible enough…

Investigates questioning behavior--the generation and formulation of questions--as an observable behavioral act reflecting information needs which proceeds from a series of cognitive processes produced by the "need to know." Statistical and linguistic analyses support the theory that the nature of information need can be discerned…

Presents a model of human information needs which classifies information need types by their inherent properties. The influence of information needs on human behavior, and the need to incorporate this concept into information storage and retrieval systems, are discussed. (15 references) (CLB)

Discussion of the problem of control in documentary information retrieval (IR) systems focuses on feedback mechanisms. Information needs are discussed, particularly the Problem Oriented Information Need (POIN); the structure of an adaptive IR system is described; and the design of algorithms for automated IR systems is explained. (33 references)…

Explores the theory of psychological relevance and its relationship to information retrieval, and provides an extended example. Topics discussed include information need, the search process, the nature of information, topical relevance, relevance judgments and retrieval testing, information retrieval and bibliometrics, and suggestions for further…

Describes a document retrieval system that provides for user interaction at several search stages to acquire a detailed specification of the user's information need. The use of domain knowledge to refine the query and a browsing mechanism are described in detail, and further research questions are identified. (CLB)

Discusses information needs of the aging, current state of services for them, and steps taken by National Commission on Libraries and Information Science to call attention to need for enhancement of services. Suggestions are given for service providers to consider for cooperation and collaboration in serving the elderly. (13 references) (EJS)

Findings from survey of information needs and habits of educational practitioners reveal that position, dissemination, and attitude are strong predictors of information use, education a moderate predictor. Information sources clustered into three factors: close at hand traditional sources, less accessible print sources, and organized interpersonal…

At BIOSIS, development of a retrieval system from the pragmatic viewpoint of providing viable self-supporting retrieval service from a data base of more than 2 million references has resulted in focusing attention on supporting the forumlation of the information need into an effective computer search specification. (JB)

Discusses the increase in the quantity and diversity of information available for searching via the Internet and provides a logic-based framework for information discovery that is related to the traditional field of information retrieval. Considers information routing, infomantics, information carriers, information filters, and users' information…

Discusses the concept of user-centered library services from a theoretical and conceptual basis. Highlights include the traditional information model; the constructivist model; other researchers' approaches to information seeking and information needs; a sense-making model for various library services; question negotiation; knowledge transfer;…

Describes a study of U.S. Air Force design professionals that examined aspects of collaboration in multidisciplinary design teams and identified design experts' information needs that could be supported by information technology. Highlights include concurrent engineering, electronically networked communication, internal process in information…

This study examined the quality of medical students' confidence estimates in answering questions in bacteriology based on personal knowledge alone and what they retrieved from a factual database in microbiology, in order to determine whether medical students can recognize when an information need has been fulfilled and when it has not. (Author/LRW)

Five articles present perspectives on National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, a permanent, independent agency of U.S. government established by Public Law 91-345 in 1970 to advise President and Congress on nation's library and information needs and to develop and implement policies and plans in this area. References provided.…