Suggestions for a research framework for South Africa: how can we learn from web information seeking/searching studies?

Abstract

The growing interest in web informotion seeking/seorching studies, ond their importance for web site design. search engines, intranets, portals, etc. warrants. a research agenda for web information seeking/searching studies in South Africa. A research framework directs research projects and should include: the rationale for and purpose of a study. descriptive information, links to related studies and traditional information retrieval, links to research paradigms and theoretical models, research methodology and methods, rationale for analysing the data, actual statistical analysis, interpretation and findings. and explicit reference to the practical impact of and need for further research. It should build on the importance of research in a particular context, and acknowledge the existing body of research literature. Suggestions are offered for practical and theoretical research projects relevant to the South African context. Although we can benefit from isolated projects, a research agenda, as suggested, may add greater impetus to our research efforts and understanding of the phenomenon under investigation.