DOD USER NEEDS STUDY, PHASE I, VOLUME 1

Abstract

An interview-based survey of the DOD RDT and E population was conducted to determine how DOD scientists and engineers presently acquire and use scientific and technical information. Depth interviews were conducted with 1375 respondents randomly selected from the 36,000 members of the DOD RDT and E population. The critical incident interviewing technique was used to isolate a recently completed task, and to define the characteristics (e.g., depth, volume, class, timeliness, field media) of the information acquired and used in the performance of that task. A semi-structured interview guide and handbook were developed and used to ensure consistency of question interpretation. A data compilation system and computer programs were developed to compile, analyze, compress, and present the data. Approximately 600 one-way, two-way and three-way tables were prepared to aid in the analysis. Volume I consists of three sections entitled: Management Report, Conduct of Study, and Analysis of Data, plus four appendices entitled: Study Execution, Discussion and Results of Survey Questions, Bibliography of User Studies, and Glossary.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 14, 1965
Accession Number
AD0615501

Entities

People

  • Allan Karson
  • Arnold B. Shafritz
  • Harry Sieber
  • Lawrence H. Berul
  • Michael E. Elling

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical Research
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Processing
  • Databases
  • Engineers
  • Geography
  • Information Processing
  • Information Retrieval
  • Information Science
  • Information Systems
  • Personnel Management
  • Scientists
  • Subject Indexing
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.
  • Library and Information Science
  • Systems Analysis and Design