The presentation of the user in reports of information behaviour research

• Main Authors: Lynne (E.F.) McKechnie, Jennifer L. Pecoskie, Christopher M. Dixon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Borås 2006-01-01
• Series: Information Research: An International Electronic Journal
• Subjects: How information behaviour researchers describe research 'participants'.
• Online Access: http://informationr.net/ir/12-1/paper278.html

<br><b>Introduction.</b> This study examined how human information behaviour researchers present research study participants through the following research questions: How do human information behaviour researchers describe participants in reports of empirical research?; and, What strategies do human information behaviour researchers use in their presentation of participants? <br><b>Method.</b> and <br><b>Analysis.</b> A content analysis was conducted of 96 research reports published in the 1996-2004 ISIC proceedings. Articles were coded for data collection and data analysis methods, the use of theory, and parts of the article (title, abstract, literature search, method, findings, discussion/conclusion) where participants were included. Also noted were terms used to label research participants, data collection practises and strategies used by authors to present users. <br><b>Results.</b> Authors use a variety of terms and data collection practices that construct the user/participant as both peripheral and central to research. <br><b>Conclusion.</b> Researchers must bring greater consciousness to the conduct and reporting of their research. Improvements are needed in doctoral training, research methods texts and publishers' instructions to authors.