Content analysis of computer search request forms in a teaching hospital medical library from 1979 to 1986

The content analysis of computer request forms and the historical analysis of the hospital have resulted in a method of identifying key organizational developments which may have influenced initiation and purpose of search. The methodology was useful in defining the hospital's socioeconomic environment during the years 1979 through 1986 and in indicating possible effects that various organizational situations have had on different departments' use of computer search services.;This study provides information on user types, user departments, types of information, search limitations, when search results are needed and preferred language of articles located in search. This information is useful because libraries can define how their search services are used in the hospital; and management can determine in part how useful the library department is to the hospital.;Content analyses results indicated that physicians were the largest user type. "Disease or syndrome" was the type of information requested most. "No limitations" was the search limitation variable placed on requests the majority of the time. "No set time" was the variable identified most under the area "when search results are needed." The language that was requested most for articles located in search was "English only.";The combined content and historical analyses found strong relationships between the various departments such as administration/business, hematology/oncology, obstetrics/gynecology and primary care. Generally, this research is useful because it opens they way for further data analysis by using this type of methodology to determine information needs.