The nature of information needs and strategies for their investigation in youngsters

Little research has investigated young people's information needs. This is despite the fact that such work can play a key role in informing the development of information services for this group. There appear to be two main barriers to investigators. The first problem lies in defining the nature of information needs in such a way that they can be researched. Second, in the absence of universal agreement, the investigator must develop a strategy for exploring information needs that is trustworthy and appropriate to the overall project aims. This article considers the ways in which past researchers have attempted to clarify the term "information needs" and examines the different techniques that have been employed for their scrutiny. The latter have included measurements of youngsters' use of library materials and analysis of their reference questions in libraries, as well as interviews with both young people themselves and adults professionally involved in their welfare. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.