Reflections on Archival User Studies

Abstract

This study is the first to focus on how developments in research trends, technology, and other factors have changed archival user studies. How have they changed in the past thirty years? How have they been conducted? This study examines and analyzes the US and Canadian literature on archival user studies to trace their past, characterize their present, and uncover the issues and challenges facing the archival community in conducting user studies. It discusses findings and gives suggestions for further archival user studies.