The Fourth International Research Forum in Information Science (IRFIS 4) focused on two themes: user-oriented research in information science and experimental and practical investigations of the mediation and use of information. An opening speech by Bjorn Tell reviewed information research policy in the United States, France, England, Japan, the Soviet Union, West Germany, and Sweden. Thirteen papers were presented, including: "Models of Dialogue for Information Retrieval," by Nicholas J. Belkin; "Language as a Barrier to Communication," by Ralph Adam; "Action Research and Users' Needs," by T. D. Wilson and D. R. Streatfield; "Education of the End-User in Computerized Information Retrieval," by Nancy Fjallbrant; "The Dissemination and Use of Scientific and Professional Information in Medicine," by Tuula H. Laaksovirta; "Project Athena, 'Thinking Aloud,' and User-Oriented Research," by Kathleen T. Bivins; "The Concept of Entailment for the Purpose of Mediation," by Marta Grabowska; "Factual Data Retrieval from a Data Base Constructed According to the SAP-Technique: A Project Incorporating Government Committee Reports," by Bjorn V. Tell and Irene Wormell; "The Wasteful Use of Empirical Statistical Information in Information Research," by Bertram C. Brookes; "Research on the Needs and Uses of Scientific and Technical Information: Research Areas and Problems," by Lars Hoglund and Olle Persson; "The Librarian's Role as a Mediator in Fictive Literature," by Annelise Mark Pejtersen; "Problem Solving and Information Retrieval: A Case," by Povl Timmerman; and"Pitfalls of User Oriented Research, and Some Neglected Areas," by J. M. Brittain. Also included in the conference proceedings are workshop reports on models and theories of users' needs, influences on information science from other disciplines, and practical research applications and projects. A conference schedule and a list of participants are provided. (ESR)