Open AccessLibrary Suggestions and Typologies of Information Needs
Author(s) -
Andrew K. Shenton,
Andrew Johnson
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
library and information research/library and information research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2752-7336
pISSN - 1756-1086
DOI - 10.29173/lirg21
Subject(s) - scrutiny , strengths and weaknesses , information needs , context (archaeology) , computer science , value (mathematics) , focus (optics) , data science , engineering ethics , user needs , knowledge management , management science , psychology , world wide web , political science , internet privacy , engineering , social psychology , paleontology , physics , optics , machine learning , law , biology
This paper explores the strengths and weaknesses of investigating information needs through scrutiny of library suggestions made by users. The method is attractive in drawing upon material that many libraries collect routinely and which may be used to present a picture of need that cannot easily be gained through other techniques. Nevertheless, insights achieved via suggestions analysis typically relate only to the library itself and often to its perceived weaknesses. There are ethical questions surrounding the use of suggestions data out of context, and researchers cannot know in advance that sufficient data relevant to their information needs focus will be elicited. Investigators must also decide on their stance regarding the wider applicability of their findings. Despite all these issues, suggestions data can play a pivotal role in inspiring the development of subsequent research into information needs, and may have considerable value when used in concert with other methods.