Table of Contents
1. Background to needs analysis for information
managers
- Introduction
- Information needs analysis rather than information needs
assessment
- Understanding the concept of need
- Defining ‘needs’ in relation to ‘wants’ and ‘demands’
- Defining information needs analysis
- Types of information needs
- Reasons for conducting an information needs analysis
- Review of Chapter 1
- Further reading
- References
2. The importance of context in information needs
analysis
- Introduction
- The cultural context
- Information needs awareness in context
- Purpose and perceived importance
- Determining the communities
- Making use of existing data
- Review of Chapter 2
- Further reading
- References
3. Models and types of information needs analysis
- Introduction
- The literature
- The system approach
- The target group approach
- The contexts of needs assessments
- Comparing the perspectives
- Information needs analyses in information management
contexts
- Review of Chapter 3
- Further reading
- References
4. The stages of information needs analysis
- Introduction
- Four stages of needs analysis
- The recursive nature of INA research
- Qualitative and quantitative frameworks for data analysis
- The stages of ex post intervention
- Review of Chapter 4
- Further reading
- References
- Appendix 4.1: Gantt chart
5. Gathering data for information needs analyses
- Introduction
- How we have reached this juncture
- The primary research question
- The research population
- The data-gathering method
- Data analysis
- Validity and reliability
- Ethical considerations
- Practical issues to consider when choosing a method
- The main data-gathering methods
- Examples of data-gathering methods selected in INAs
- Review of Chapter 5
- Further reading
- References
6. Gathering data from existing sources
- Introduction
- The data
- External data
- Internally created data
- The methods
- Conclusion
- Review of Chapter 6
- Further reading
- References
7. Gathering data through surveys
- Introduction
- What is a survey?
- Planning for a survey
- Conducting a survey
- Preparing for data analysis
- Review of Chapter 7
- Further reading
- References
8. Gathering data through interviews
- Introduction
- Thoughts on managing qualitative data collection
- Interviews
- Focus groups
- Observation
- Other qualitative methods
- Review of Chapter 8
- Further reading
- References
9. Analysing and integrating information needs analysis
data
- Introduction
- Analysing and integrating information
- The information analysis stage in the INA process
- Qualitative data
- Quantitative data
- Descriptive statistics
- Inferential statistics
- Review of Chapter 9
- Further reading
- References
10. Reporting on an information needs analysis
- Introduction
- The audience and its impact on the final report
- Validity and reliability
- The writing process
- The structure of an INA report
- The use of graphics
- Other means of communicating the results
- Review of Chapter 10
- Further reading
- References
About the Author
Daniel G. Dorner is Senior Lecturer and G E Gorman, Professor of
Library and Information Management, School of Information
Management, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealan.
