Information seeking behavior
of astronomers
Laboratory on Digital Libraries and Electronic PublishingArchive and Library Sciences Department, Ionian University
Hara Brindesi, Head librarian, Eugenides Foundation Library
Sarantos Kapidakis, Professor of Ionian University
Aims of the study
• Study of the astronomy knowledge-domain (domain-analytic paradigm) – restriction of our research focus on Greek astronomers,
for in-depth domain study • Maximization of the efficiency of information
services provided• Introduction of instruction programs in information
literacy, designed specifically for astronomers
Objectives of the study
• Investigation of similarities and differences in the information seeking behavior among astronomers with different characteristics, including academic status, age, or affiliated institution.
• Investigation of similarities and differences in the information seeking behavior among astronomers with different information needs.
• Investigation of the ways astronomers use the digital library of ADS in general and the arXiv (the e-print division of ADS) in particular.
• Identification of the barriers and difficulties confronted.
Population
• 151 astronomers in the area of Athens– the scholars of the Department of Physics and
Astronomy of the University of Athens – the PhD and MSc students of the University of
Athens – the researchers of the Academy of Athens – the researchers of the Athens National
Observatory
Methodology
• 13 face-to-face semi-structured interviews • analysis of the interviews • online questionnaire, which was filled in by 71
recipients (response rate 47%)– The questionnaire was divided into 8 sections and
consisted of 29 questions– Main topics of the questionnaire: (1) Information needs,
(2) Methods of research and use of sources in the online environment, (3) Astrophysics Data System (ADS, the most well-known database for astronomers), (4) Problems, (5) Working in groups, (6) Publishing behavior, (7) Students and their information needs, (8) Demographics
Time spent in electronic environment
4%
75%
21%
1 to 2 hours a week 3 to 20 hours a week more than 20 hours a week
Greek astronomers spend a lot of time in electronic environment
0,0%
41,7%
58,3%
4,2%
83,3%
12,5%
0,0%
90,9%
9,1%
9,5%
76,2%
14,3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Professors Researcher MSC PHD
1 to 2 hours a week 3 to 20 hours a week more than 20 hours a week
Time in electronic environment according to status
Question: How many hours a week do you spend for the following?
• Observations: The majority of astronomers replied 0 hours.
• Research: about 24 hours a week
• Keeping up-to-date with current developments: mean =7,20
• Writing: mean =9
• Personal information: mean =4,78
Keeping up-to-date with the latest papers is absolutely important for the majority of the astronomers
2,8
18,3
26,8
52,1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1
Importance of keeping up-to-date
A little important
Somewhat important
Quite important
Absolutely important
The importance of keeping up-to-date is strong mostly among the professors and researchers, less among the PHD students and even less among the MSc students.
0,0%
10,0%
20,0%
30,0%
40,0%
50,0%
60,0%
70,0%
80,0%
Professors Researcher MSC PHD
Importance of keeping up to date/Status
A little important
Somew hat important
Quite important
Absolutely important
A little importantSomewhat important
Quite importantAbsolutely important
Keeping up to date (information for new articles)
0
20
40
60
The more important astronomers feel it is to keep up to date, the more hours they spend for research.
63,8% 62,3%
55,1%
17,4%
31,9% 31,9%
24,6%
5,8%
68,1%
81,2% 81,2%
71,0%
0,0%
10,0%
20,0%
30,0%
40,0%
50,0%
60,0%
70,0%
80,0%
90,0%
Necessary methods for current awareness
Methods
Methods considered important for keeping up-to-date
68,12%
58,82%
7,46%4,48%
16,18%
21,21%
66,15%
89,39%
29,03%
20,90%
53,97%
19,70%
62,69%
38,46%
32,81%
54,41%
0,00%
10,00%
20,00%
30,00%
40,00%
50,00%
60,00%
70,00%
80,00%
90,00%
ADS
ArXiv
Spires
Web of K
nowledge
DBs for o
bservations
OPACs
Websit
es
Google Sch
olar
Printed jo
urnals
Electronic
journals
Printed re
ference
materia
l
Electronic
refere
nce mate
rial
Printed books
Electronic
book
Citatio
ns
Resources usage at least 2 to 3 times a week
at least 2 to 3 times a week
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Resources usage according to age
55-45-5435-4425-3418-24
According to choice 5=daily
Depositing : When
9%
29%
62%
before submission at the time of submission when paper accepted
Greek astronomers deposit most of their papers in e-print archives like arXiv.org, particularly after the paper has been accepted by the journal
55,60%
66,70% 60,00%
25,00%
0,00%
10,00%
20,00%
30,00%
40,00%
50,00%
60,00%
70,00%
25-34 35-44 45-54 55-
Depositing in e-print archives according to age
41,90%
100,00%
57,10% 58,10%
0,00%
42,90%
0,00%
10,00%
20,00%
30,00%
40,00%
50,00%
60,00%
70,00%
80,00%
90,00%
100,00%
1 2
Depositing in e-print archives according to Institution
Athens University Academy of Athens National Observatory of Athens
Effectiveness of searches
34,3
52,2
310,4
familiarity with DB΄s characteristics familiarity with subject area
technology development terminology understanding
What contributes most to the effectiveness of online searching?
Factors contributing to the effectiveness of online searching
Main Problems
• The majority of our respondents said that a serious problem for them is when they don’t have online access to scientific journals, for example when subscriptions have not been paid.
• Serious problems are also caused – When backfiles and older issues of journals are not
available online– When there is difficulty of accessing digital resources
from home.
Professors and students
• The 57,1% of the respondents answered “no” to the question: “Have your students the necessary knowledge to seek information correctly?” The 42,9% answered “yes” to the same question.
• The 94,3% of the respondents help their students in their effort of seeking information, mainly by giving them instructions of how to use ADS, specific websites, specific articles and keywords. Less emphasis is given to specific book titles and criteria for evaluation of websites.
Some thoughts for further investigation
• Do professors that assume their students can search efficiently, make much searching themselves?
• What do professors teach their students in relation to searching?
• What is the basic background needed to search the usual databases?