Researchers and their information needs: a literature review

This literature review was prepared as an exercise during the co-authorship of the book Providing Effective Library Services for Research. The intention was to explore what was already known about researchers from the literature, and the exercise was conducted prior to interviews with researchers worldwide to develop case studies for the book. In the event, the literature review did not appear in the book although it informed the text and the case studies. The methodology used in preparing the review is discussed and then some of the retrievals are discussed. It is hoped that this review will help information professionals to identify some resources that may help them in their role of supporting researchers in their own disciplines, institutions and countries.