Understanding Research Behaviors, Information Resource and Service Needs of Scientists

September 2006-June 2007

The Libraries are conducting a study of University of Minnesota scientists and graduate students in the sciences in order to understand their unique information needs. The goal of the study is to improve Library services and tools that support research in the sciences. The assessment of research practices focuses on the elements of infrastructure that support the discovery, use and management of information sources and data. We ask: How do scientists share work with colleagues, both internal and external to the University? What kinds of collaborative work spaces are used or needed, both physical and virtual?  How do scientists collect, manipulate, mine, and preserve their data?  How do scientists use libraries? 

 

Key stakeholders in the project include the University Libraries and University of MInnesota Deans of:

• The Academic Health Center
• The Institute of Technology
• The College of Biological Sciences
• The College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences

 

Focus groups and interviews with faculty and graduate students in the Sciences are used to assess research practices and needs.