The presentation of the user in reports of information behaviour research

<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...

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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:
Online Access:http://informationr.net/ir/12-1/paper278.html
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author Lynne (E.F.) McKechnie
Jennifer L. Pecoskie
Christopher M. Dixon
author_facet Lynne (E.F.) McKechnie
Jennifer L. Pecoskie
Christopher M. Dixon
author_sort Lynne (E.F.) McKechnie
collection DOAJ
description <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.
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spelling doaj-art-bd34530cb4c94a28a0842a7286ba4b842025-02-02T17:50:09ZengUniversity of BoråsInformation Research: An International Electronic Journal1368-16132006-01-01121278The presentation of the user in reports of information behaviour researchLynne (E.F.) McKechnieJennifer L. PecoskieChristopher M. Dixon<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.http://informationr.net/ir/12-1/paper278.htmlHow information behaviour researchers describe research 'participants'.
spellingShingle Lynne (E.F.) McKechnie
Jennifer L. Pecoskie
Christopher M. Dixon
The presentation of the user in reports of information behaviour research
Information Research: An International Electronic Journal
How information behaviour researchers describe research 'participants'.
title The presentation of the user in reports of information behaviour research
title_full The presentation of the user in reports of information behaviour research
title_fullStr The presentation of the user in reports of information behaviour research
title_full_unstemmed The presentation of the user in reports of information behaviour research
title_short The presentation of the user in reports of information behaviour research
title_sort presentation of the user in reports of information behaviour research
topic How information behaviour researchers describe research 'participants'.
url http://informationr.net/ir/12-1/paper278.html
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