讀者研究包括資訊需求與資訊尋求行為研究、圖書館或資訊系統利用研究、資訊 利用研究等等。四十年來，有關讀者研究的文獻一直呈現穩定的成長。這類研究能提供給 研究人員一個深入瞭解讀者的機會，以致於更能設計出符合讀者需求的資訊系統。本文旨 在探討讀者研究理論模式、研究方法上的問題，以及未來的研究趨勢。

　　　　　User studies include studies of information needs and information seeking behavior of various user groups, library or information system use studies, information use studies, etc. The body of user studies literature has grown steadily for more than forty years. It is agreed that user studies provide an opportunity for a better understanding of information users so that more responsive information systems can be built in the future. This paper examines models of information seeking, issues about user study methodology, and future trends in user studies.