In this paper the authors report the use of concept mapping as a means of summarizing interview transcripts in the study of the information-seeking behavior of employees in an organization. Concept mapping differs from traditional methods of textual coding for interview analysis by making underlying cognitive structures transparent and giving a focus to the sets of propositions by which individuals construct meaning. Concept map structure correlates with the perceived richness of interview data. They provide quick summaries of the interview quality and may help to identify topics for further probing to elicit new information. In this study rich interviews provide complex concept map structures, whereas less successful interviews provide simpler, spoke structures. Issues in using concept maps with research interviews are discussed, including use as a retrospective interview probe, as a check on evidence saturation, as a form of data display or as a form of creative coding.

Once upon a time there were four Goblins who were, of course, chartered accountants. They became tired of counting hoards of gold for the Gnomes so they sought help from the Wizard of Ecognomeics. 'We want our own treasure chests,' they pleaded. 'That's easy,' said the Wizard 'Human beings have the idea that information technology will solve all their work problems. I'll turn you into Management Consultancy Goblins. Then you can each take one idea from the Academic Ivory Tower and that should make you piles of gold.' After 5,000 days the four met up at the International Goblin Warming Conference and compared experiences. 'I chose Corporate Management Information Systems,' said Goblin 1, 'and I was selling loads of mainframes. Then the Gnome Computers Wizard invented the personal computer and everyone started networking instead.' Goblin 2 had taken the software route. 'My Computer-Assisted Management Systems were selling like hot cakes until somebody noticed that they were only doing administration. Then it all went pear-shaped.' 'I chose fear,' said Goblin 3, 'All the companies were latching on to my 'Information for Competitive Advantage' until someone asked 'What happens when everyone is doing it?'The fourth Goblin adjusted position on his platinum toadstool, glanced at his Cartier watch and asked, 'Have you sad Goblins ever heard of my Knowledge Management?'

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation.Project INISS is the first major investigation of the information needs of social services staff in this country. This paper describes the origins of the project, the method employed in the first phase of the study, some of the findings, and implications for information services in these environments.

This paper describes the second phase of Project INISS which involved structured interviews with 151 members of staff of four social services departments. The planning, design and execution of the interviews are described and results are analysed under three headings: the context of information needs, organization communication, and information need/information‐seeking behaviour. The implications of the work for the information profession are explored.

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