ABSTRACT
Before any major research was undertaken, investigations were carried out to determine whether the syndrome of computer dependency had been identified by other professionals and, if so, whether they had considered it to be an area of concern. It was intended that by systematic enquiry of those who could be considered to have some knowledge and experience of the area that the more apocryphal stories describing the characteristics of this syndrome be accepted or rejected. Further investigations were also undertaken to contact individuals who personally considered themselves to be dependent upon computers in order to gain an initial impression of the situation. The intention at this stage was to determine the extent to which people believed that computer dependency was identifiable, rather than to conduct deep, statistical analyses. Thus contact was made with individuals and organizations whom it was thought would have either direct or indirect knowledge of the syndrome of computer dependency if it did exist.
