Making Choices: Factors in the Selection of Information Resources Among Science Faculty at the University of Michigan Results of a Survey Conducted July-September, 2000

Abstract

We carried out a survey of 230 science faculty and researchers at the University of Michigan in the departments of astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, natural resources, physics, and statistics, seeking to learn about their information resource use and preferences in diverse research contexts (e.g., current awareness, routine day-to-day information needs). The response rate was 46.5%. Results indicate that researchers rely largely on the same information-seeking tools in different research contexts. We also asked about the importance of six factors -- speed, convenience, familiarity, currency, authoritativeness, reliable availability -- on their information resource preferences; convenience and time were most frequently cited. Finally, open-ended questions invited respondents to comment on barriers and frustrations they encountered in information-seeking; themes of availability and access to needed material were mentioned, in addition to a wide variety of information retrieval difficulties.