Seeking electronic information from government resources: A comparative analysis of two communities' web searching of municipal government websites

This study examines queries submitted through two municipal government websites over a 3-year period to discover patterns in information seeking that current web log analysis literature have not discovered or addressed. The findings reveal: in spite of subtle differences strong similarities remain between two different communities' information needs from municipal government websites; demographic variables and close physical proximity do not appear to affect these similarities; there appears to be a belief that municipal government websites can deliver all types of information; and, using methods presented in this paper, municipal governments may better manage their online information resources.

► I analyzed queries submitted through two municipal government websites.
► Over 3 years, how did information seeking change if at all?
► Remarkable consistencies in information needs exist between different communities.
► Information seekers believe that all information types may be sought through these sources.
► Information needs differ considerably between different levels of government.