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

Main results

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

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 status

Professors Researchers MSC PHD

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?

Thanks a lot