This two-volume document describes a study which focused on characterizing the elements involved in information seeking and retrieving, particularly in relation to the cognitive decisions and human interactions involved in online information retrieval. The study objectives were to conduct experiments and observations, under conditions as close to real life as possible, related to: (1) the user context of questions in information retrieval; (2) the structure and classification of questions; (3) the cognitive traits and decision making of searchers; and (4) the comparative nature of the search of the same question by different searchers. Study results indicate that fluency in associations in English and in English idioms seems to be an important characteristic of more effective searches; that items retrieved in searches in which the searcher displayed results more frequently are more likely to be relevant, and that higher recall is achieved when outputs from several searchers are merged. Volume 1 describes the study background and presents the study methodology; basic background data; a summary of the results; and statistical analyses of study data organized according to the five variables of information seeker or user, question, searcher, search, and retrieved items. An executive summary, 2 figures, and 60 tables are included, as well as a 48-item bibliography. Volume 2 comprises nine appendices, including questionnaire statements provided by the users, raw retrieval results for each searcher and question, forms used in the study process, and study procedures and flowcharts. (KM)