A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF INFORMATION-SEEKING AMONG MEMBERS OF AN ACADEMIC COMMUNITY - METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES AND PROBLEMS

The information-seeking activities of thirty-one members of the Stanfo rd University academic community were examined over two-week periods d uring the 1990-91 academic year. The set of 2,050 information-seeking incidents gathered through informant tape recordings was supplemented by interviews and other textual data. Both qualitative and quantitativ e analyses were used to examine the information needs in relation to p erceived environment, source use, personal characteristics, and satisf action with the result of information seeking. The data reveal informa tion seeking to be embedded in day-to-day tasks and relationships and triggered both by articulation of need and availability of information . The article describes the methodological approach of the study, the use of ETHNOGRAPH and SPSS/PC + software to facilitate data analysis, and the issues and problems that arose in the processes of using both quantitative and qualitative analytical methods.