Specialized reference works and their users. A preliminary study

An examination of the use of three specialized reference works was made to identify users of the reference tools and the benefits from their use. The feasibility of locating and interviewing users was tested, and an attempt was made to determine the situations in which the works are used. Methods of locating users are described. Users were interviewed to determine the value of each work and alternative sources of information. The works were compared with alternative sources to test their comprehensiveness. Conclusions are: (1) identification of users and their needs is complex, and requires the combination of a number of research methods; (2) the availability and accessibility of alternate information sources varies with both the reference work and the type of user.