Theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of information need in the context of the impact of new information and communications technologies on the communication of parliamentary information.

Abstract

This paper discusses critically the theoretical and methodological background to an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) research project designed to investigate the impact of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) on the communication of parliamentary and legislative information to the general public or citizen. It sets out the context of the study in terms of the changes in governance, resulting from devolution and, via a wide ranging literature review, describes the ways in which the authors’ research approach has developed. The design of the project methodology, that of an interactive online interview executed via a roadshow, is also described.