Scenarios in information seeking and information retrieval research: A methodological application and discussion

Scenario has been used as a research tool to study information seeking and information retrieval. This review of the nature and development of scenario use reveals a variety of applications and a number of practical methodological issues. While scenarios have a number of advantages, there are limitations. Consideration of these advantages and challenges leads to recommendations for constructing and presenting scenarios.

► The use of scenarios in LIS has rapidly increased since 1990. ► One hundred and twenty‐nine papers employing scenarios as a research tool are identified and reviewed. ► Scenarios have been used to enhance the internal validity of research. ► Guidelines on how to construct and present scenarios effectively are presented.