Anomalous State of Knowledge (ASK) is a theory that an information need is the result of a gap (anomaly) in a user’s knowledge. The implication of this theory is that the user will struggle to accurately query an information retrieval system because they are lacking the information to do so. 

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- Taylor's Levels
- Belkin's Information Problems
- Dervin's Information Seeking as Sense-Making
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Models of Information Needs

Belkin, N. J., Oddy, R. N., & Brooks, H. M. (1982). Ask for information retrieval: Part 1. Background and theory. Journal of Documentation, 38(2), 61-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb026722 

Ask for Information Retrieval

Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological model that organizes human motives into a multi-level pyramid. This model illustrates the relationship among various motives, which span from fundamental physiological needs at the base to the highest level of self-actualization at the peak.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Anomalous State of Knowledge

Sense-making is a methodology for assessing user needs in libraries pioneered by Brenda Dervin. This methodology focuses on how people interact with information and knowledge personally, among others, or over communication technology. This methodology has been used to guide user research and interviews with the goal of creating research informed practices in both. A common application of this methodology is the Sense-Making Triangle.

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