Information seeking in an emerging electronic environment: a study of academic computer scientists in british and greek universities

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the way academic computer scientists seek information in an emerging electronic environment. It is very important to acknowledge that the study was carried out in a time of change for the information world where the introduction of the Internet changed radically the provision of library services and as a consequence the patterns of user information seeking. The research sought to investigate whether or not the use of electronic information resources has affected communication and the flow of information among academic computer scientists in Britain and Greece. To meet the aim and objectives of the study, a combination of quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (interviews) research methods along with a comprehensive literature review was used. The questionnaire aimed to collect evidence concerning the use of electronic information resources and the patterns of different practices used by academics to retrieve the required information. The analysis and critical evaluation of the data draw an overall picture of the use of electronic information resources and patterns of information seeking by academic computer scientists in both countries. Further along semi-structured in-depth interviews were employed in an attempt to identify the factors which are liable to affect the information seeking behaviour of an academic. Academics in their daily quest for information employ the use of a variety of information resources such as online databases, CD-ROMs, library catalogues, printed and electronic journals, the Internet, e-mail. In most cases a combination of tools were used for the most effective means of locating information that is needed for resolving an information need. The findings of the present study also corroborate findings of other studies, which indicated that academics have incorporated use of the Internet in their daily routine. The study has shown its widespread use over a variety of activities among others teaching, supervision, research and publishing. Academics in both countries indicated their preference in using library resources as they felt that this can guarantee information quality. However, if obtaining the information involved extra effort such as a visit to the library, they could easily turn to other resources like the Internet or colleagues. Thus, use of the Internet has become an integral part of academics' work regardless of the various obstacles that they face when they use it such as lack of coherent information structure, information overload, and limited search capabilities. Moreover, research has shown that the use of electronic communication has affected both formal and informal communication as it has managed to overcome geographical barriers and time restrictions.