Toward a User-Centered Information Service, Article Review Example

Toward a User-Centered Information Service. By Ruth C. T. Morris in Journal of the American Society for Information Science (1994).

When people seek information, they want to find what they need. Therefore, the ways that people seek information are focused on their specific agendas. There are various ways of obtaining information, especially new ways in the technological age. However, the library is still a popular venue for obtaining information, and this can be done both online and offline. As users of the library, people follow behavior patterns and carry out their searches for information in the library with the intent on finding what they need.

Statement of Purpose

The focus of this article examines the concept of user-centered library services, as opposed to systems-centered library services. According to the literature, information-seeking users of the library need user-centered services, and designing library systems to cater to this need is essential.

Review of the Literature

This article examines research practices of those with information needs and how users become frustrated with confusing information systems, and focuses on a user-centered information needs approach, based on theory, for eliminating the confusion. The author emphasizes the need for information professionals to develop users systems that cater to the user in a way that is based on a focused approach. It is stated that people who seek information have similar traits they use to process information, and they have similar and different needs for desiring information.

There are two types of information discussed in this literature: the Traditional Information Paradigm and the Constructivist Model. The author points out that the purpose of the research “is bridging the famous the gap between research and practice” (p. 20).

The Traditional Information Paradigm states that information is perceived, by the user, as external and objective, instead of something internal. This type of information can be defined and measured and when information-seeking is carried out through this paradigm, people are looking for external reality.

The Constructivist Model is based on the concept that information is something that comes from within the user, as opposed to an external source. The author states this type of information is open for interpretation and is not left in the abstract. For example, something that looks like a spider in a corner turns out to be a lock of someone’s hair. This information model, according to the literature, requires people to continually adapt and change because information is always shifting.

Conclusion

The author further explains the importance of information professionals understanding the needs of users, when designing information services. This includes structuring focus on specific environment settings, types of information available to be sought by users, and how potential problems will affect information-seeking individuals and groups. In short, the information service is best if designed and implemented in the mindset of the user. This is why the constructivist model makes the most sense because it caters to the users’ intuitive tendencies. To consider the mindset of the users, the author points out it is important to note that users are accustomed to the traditional paradigm; however, their information-seeking behavior may not necessarily reflect this, because they approach information-seeking in an ordered manner.

Reference

Morris, R. C. T. (1994). Toward a User-Centered Information Service. Journal of the American Soceity for Information Science, 20-30.